Life after Robbie Keane begins here.
On Friday morning Martin O’Neill named the first competitive squad to exclude a fit and available Keane in 16 years as his preparations begin in earnest for next month’s qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova.
Apart from the retired Keane the injured Everton midfielder Darron Gibson, who has a groin injury, and Rob Elliott, O’Neill had a near full deck to pick from.
Under-21 goalkeeper Danny Rogers, currently on loan at Falkirk from Aberdeen, has been called up, while defender Shane Duffy returns following his one-game suspension.
In midfield there is a call-up for Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane and Aberdeen winger Jonathan Hayes. O’Neill is also willing to take a chance on James McCarthy, who has only played twice for Everton this season due to a groin problem.
Up front Kevin Doyle will keep up the MLS representation in the squad as he comes in for Keane.
BREAKING: Martin O'Neill has announced his squad for the upcoming games against Georgia and Moldova! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/KvogJaZlFW
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 23, 2016
Ireland face Georgia in Dublin on October 6th before a trip to Moldova on October 9th.
