Carr misses out - November 15, 2000 Tottenham's Stephen Carr joined the lengthy Irish injury list yesterday which forced Ireland manager Mick McCarthy to resuffle his pack for the first time in four internationals. Carr, captain Roy Keane, Jason McAteer, Alan Kelly and Niall Quinn all miss out but still Ireland look strong especially in midfield. Mark Kinsella takes the captain's armband and will be asked to play in Roy Keane's role in midfield with Matt Holland the attacking force from the centre. On the flanks Kevin Kilbane keeps his place on the left while Fulham's Steve Finnan comes in on the right. This is a midfield with plenty of width and plenty of goals in it. Finnan and Kilbane love attacking as do Kinsella and Holland. Actually Holland is one of the best midfielders in the Premiership for joining and passing the front two. Shay Given's form for Newcastle has earned him the nod ahead of Alan Kelly. Given is playing week in, week out at the highest level while Kelly has been pushed down to No.3 choice at Blackburn. In the long-term Kelly should get away from Ewood Park or he could become a forgotten man for Ireland which would be unfortunate since he has always been rock solid in the national shirt. Gary Kelly gets a chance to stake a claim for the right-back position with the injury to Carr. Kelly, while not on the best of form is still playing at the highest level for Leeds in both the Premiership and the Champions League. Two former Wolves players start up front for Ireland tonight. Inter Milan's Robbie Keane and Watford's Dominic Foley look like a fresh partnership and although neither can get into their club teams at a regular basis it would come as no surprise if both scored tonight. With the service coming straight down the middle and from the flanks the Finnish will need to be on their toes for the complete 90 minutes. Ireland: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Gary Kelly (Leeds United), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Gary Breen (Coventry), Ian Harte (Leeds United), Matt Holland (Ipswich Town), Steve Finnan (Fulham), Mark Kinsella - capt (Charlton Athletic), Dominic Foley (Watford), Robbie Keane (Inter Milan), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland). Finland: Antti Niemi, Toni Kuivasto, Janne Saarinen, Petri Pasanen, Hannu Tihinen Mika Nurmela, Joonas Kolkka, Simo Valakari, Mikael Forssell, Jari Litmanen (captain), Jonatan Johansson. Referee: Paul Durkin (England) |