This is it, one last chance.
The Ireland team to play Belarus has been named and it is the very, very, very final opportunity for players to change the manager’s mind before he hands in his final 23-man squad to UEFA.
Martin O’Neill’s men face off with Belarus at Turner’s Cross in Cork on Tuesday night (kick off 7.45pm) and the 11 starters for the very last friendly have been named.
Ireland don’t take for France until Wednesday week but the selected 23-man group for Euro 2016 will continue their preparations in Cork as well as having some time off with their families before the real action begins.
Before June 13, Tuesday’s friendly is the final international fixture the players will have against Belarus and the starting team is here.
Shay Given starts along with Cyrus Christie and Stephen Ward and Darron Gibson, David Meyler and Daryl Murphy are given runs to show what they can do.
BREAKING: The Republic of Ireland starting team to face Belarus has been named. #COYBIG #IRLBEL pic.twitter.com/H4qSiKO0BD
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 31, 2016
Keogh and Clark are back together in the middle of the defence after guiding the country through the playoffs against Bosnia whilst Aiden McGeady is in line for his 82nd international cap.
If O’Neill sticks with his preferred formation for his starting team, the side for Tuesday night could line out like this.
James McClean has been deployed in that role up front for his last three appearances for Ireland and could be Jon Walters’ natural replacement if the side are looking for a man who can turn that diamond into a five-man midfield when defending.
Aiden McGeady could line out in the Wes Hoolahan role where he actually played in some of the earlier games in the campaign whilst Darron Gibson would be taking club mate James McCarthy’s position with Meyler in for Whelan.
Hendrick takes up the Hendrick role.
Of course, they could just play five across midfield anyway with McGeady and McClean out wide but, so close to the tournament, the manager will want to see who his viable options really are.
