Stephen Kenny has been forced to make a raft of changes from the side that lost their penalty shoot-out to Slovakia.
The Ireland team to face Wales for this afternoon’s Nations League clash with Wales has been confirmed by the FAI. Jack Byrne and Daryl Horgan are among those that would have been hoping to start, but must settle for a place on the bench.
Kenny has been forced to field a team with the injured David McGoldrick, one unnamed player who has tested positive for Covid-19 and four others who were close contacts of that player [John Egan, Alan Browne, Callum Robinson and Callum O’Dowda].
That has seen Kenny forced into making four changes from the side that were unlucky to lose their Euro 2021 playoff shoot-out on Thursday.
Kevin Long comes into the Irish defence while Robbie Brady and Jayson Molumby are named in midfield. Shane Long replaces the injured McGoldrick.
IRELAND XI to face WALES
Darren Randolph
Matt Doherty
Shane Duffy
Kevin Long
Enda StevensJayson Molumby
Conor Hourihane
Jeff HendrickRobbie Brady
James McClean
Shane Long
STARTING XI | Ireland🇮🇪 v Wales🏴
Multiple changes to the team which faced Slovakia on Thursday
David McGoldrick and James McCarthy out injured with Shane Long set to start up front 👌#COYBIG | #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/K1SMbpTkKW
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 11, 2020
Despite earlier reports of Kenny only have 13 outfield players to choose from, Ireland are able to put up a bench of seven players, including the likes of Jack Byrne, Seani Maguire and Josh Cullen.