Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Keeper’s eye on an Irish spot
KIERAN O’HARA has played his way into contention for a role against Denmark - if Darren Randolph fails to make it.
The Manchester United goalkeeper, 23, is on loan at Burton Albion and Mick Mccarthy has been getting glowing reports.
While Kieren Westwood is named in the provisional squad, his future as an Irish international is uncertain following a number of withdrawals. He has been dogged by injuries and both Bournemouth’s Mark Travers and O’hara have moved ahead of him.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher (inset) - who starts against Arsenal in the League Cup tonight - is also included although he is first-choice for Stephen Kenny’s under-21s.
Randolph should overcome a thigh strain in time to face Denmark but the Middlesbrough goalkeeper is still in a race against time.
O’hara is waiting in the wings and Mccarthy said: “I’m going to give the two of them (O’hara and Travers) an equal chance a slightly equal chance.
“Kieran O’hara is playing regularly, be it in League One or not, and has been playing well.
“He’s having a great season so based on my decisions on lots of others, somebody who is playing on a regular basis in a team has to be your first choice.”
But Mccarthy expects Randolph to face the
Danes in two-and-a-half weeks and said:
“I’ve been speaking to him, messaging him, and he’s quite confident.
“We’ve got another four days because I’m not really interested in the New Zealand game for him.
“He was confident enough that he’s going to be alright.”