This is it: Bienvenue or au revoir.
The Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 fate will be decided in the next six days, with Friday’s away leg against Bosnia followed by next Monday’s match-up in Aviva Stadium.
Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane began preparing for Edin Dzeko and Co out at Abbotstown yesterday but, to give you an idea of what they’re working with, here is a rundown of who has done what since our final Group D qualifiers at home to Germany (yay!) and away to Poland (boo!) in October.
David Forde (Millwall) 23 caps
Shunted from Millwall first team by 22-year-old Jordan Archer, Forde has ridden the bench for five League One matches since returning to the Londoners after Warzaw. His one and only start came in Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup first round win over Northern Conference side AFC Fylde.
Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) 18 caps
Injured in the run-up to the Germany-Poland double-header, the former Ireland number one has returned to the Wednesday team fighting fit. Up until Saturday he had conceded just two goals in five games, but the 3-1 defeat away to Charlton was not the ideal launchpad for resurrecting his Ireland career in absence of Shay Given.
Darren Randolph (West Ham United) 4 caps
Despite performing admirably in Adrian’s absence earlier in the season, Randolph has not been afforded a single minute of action since playing 136 minutes of Ireland’s last qualifiers. We understand Adrian is the first choice, but did Slaven Bilic not see our man’s assist for Shane Long’s goal against Germany?
Rob Elliot (Newcastle United) 3 caps
Interesting times for the Toon ‘keeper since October. Injuries to Tim Krul and Karl Darlow mean Elliot has played four Premier League matches so far this season. He was brilliant in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday, just a shame he is also now injured and being forcibly wrapped in cotton wool by Steve McLaren.
Richard Keogh (Derby County) 9 caps 1 goal
Would have loved to have strolled into Abbotstown with an unbeaten stretch of six matches under his belt but Derby’s run came to an end in the worst fashion possible Friday night – losing 1-0 to hated rivals Nottingham Forest.
Marc Wilson (Stoke City) 23 caps 1 goal
Just the one Premier League appearance since the last international break and Wilson would rather forget that 2-0 defeat to Watford. His heinous error gifted the Hornets a goal when he got himself all in a muddle in possession. Fair play to the 28 year old though, he owned up for the error. Not sure an apology was really necessary though, s**t happens.
Would just like to say sorry to all the stoke fans out there for my performance today.Lack of game time and injuries this year hasn't helped
— Pendle (@_pendle_fi_) October 25, 2015
I'm not some1 who hides il hold my hand upfor today and make sure it doesn't happen again. That's the right mentality to have.
— Pendle (@_pendle_fi_) October 25, 2015
Seamus Coleman (Everton) 30 caps
Recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Germany game, Coleman has returned to his right full-back berth at Everton, where the result are improving after a sketchy start to the season.
Cyrus Christie (Derby County) 3 caps 1 goal
Coming in with the same amount of games and the same Forest kick in the nads as Keogh.
John O’Shea (Sunderland) 108 caps 3 goals
His hamstring injury will likely rule him out of the second leg (he is suspended for the away leg). The injury spared him from the 6-2 humbling at Everton and Saturday’s loss at Southampton too. A rest may do him good, if not the Mackems.
Alex Pearce (Derby County) 6 caps 2 goals
Not a sniff of first team footy since the Capital One Cup defeat to Portsmouth back in August.
Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) 1 cap
Six outings for Blackburn: one win, two defeats, three draws.
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa) 15 caps 1 goal
Back in favour at Villa Park and sure to be buzzing after his third straight start brought a 0-0 draw against Manchester City in Remi Garde’s first game in charge.
Paul McShane (Reading) 32 caps
With five starts since October, it was all going swimmingly for the Royals captain until he picked up an injury that ruled him out of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Cardiff and makes him a doubt for Bosnia too.
Stephen Ward (Burnley) 30 caps 2 goals
First league appearance of the season on Saturday when he was given the last 12 minutes of 0-0 draw with Wolves.
Robbie Brady (Norwich City) 18 caps 3 goals
Four Premier League appearances and thankfully the run of defeats was ended with a 1-0 win over Swansea on Saturday. The Dubliner, played at full-back for majority of the season, was pushed into midfield and performed well in his more natural left wing position.
James McCarthy (Everton) 31 caps
The international break has come at the right time for the Everton midfielder, who will be happy to get out of the UK until the heat over his tackle on Dimitri Payet dies down. Provoking death threats from West Ham fans aside, McCarthy has been in good form for the Toffees in his five games since Poland.
@JMcCarthy_16 you should be ashamed of yourself for that vile, could of been career ending,luckily wasn't challenge!You deserve a 5 game ban
— Adam (@IamChadbacca) November 9, 2015
Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) 17 caps
Just three league starts for the Rams since playing 90 minutes against Poland. An ever-present for Derby in recent seasons, there is some irony in the fact his place is no longer so certain just as he breaks into the international starting 11.
Darron Gibson (Everton) 25 caps 1 goal
Made his first start since March in last month’s Capital One Cup victory over Norwich. Scored in penalty shootout, not seen since.
Harry Arter (Bournemouth) 1 cap
Has finally got a taste of Premier League football after missing start of the season with an ankle injury, unfortunately thus far the only flavour he has sampled is defeat (two in league, plus one in League Cup) as Bournemouth expertly play the role of plucky, but doomed, newly-promoted side.
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) 68 caps 2 goals
Vice captain to a Stoke team that have lost just one in five since international break. A dominating figure in their midfield, with every solid performance the Dubliner further confounds all the critics who question his worth to Ireland team.
Aiden McGeady (Everton) 78 caps 5 goals
Will be glad to play a little football this week.
James McClean (West Bromwich Albion) 32 caps 4 goals
Impressing in four Premier League starts, the Derryman will feel the weight of 64 million poppies lifted from his shoulders as Remembrance Sunday has come and gone, with minimal fuss by McClean’s standards.
Alan Judge (Brentford) 0 caps
Three goals in four Championship matches since the international break he was not involved in suggest a cap may not be so far away. After all, he is attracting the attention of Premier League clubs. Shame he is injured.
David Meyler (Hull City) 14 caps
A feature in the table-topping Tigers side, the Corkman has started five Championship matches in the past month, even scoring a couple of goals.
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City) 37 caps 8 goals
The fact the burly forward finally got that 2 1/2 year contract he has been agitating for tells you all you need to know about Walters’ form. Just one goal in four starts since Poland but, as with Ireland, this man’s contribution cannot be judged on goal-scoring stats alone.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City) 23 caps 2 goals
The assists have dried up a little for the influential attacker (who still has five for the season) but with four starts under his belt since his cameo appearance in Warsaw, Hoolahan is sure to start one leg of the play-off (but not both, definitely not).
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) 143 caps 67 goals
Unusually no win in last three MLS games of season for Ireland’s captain as LA Galaxy’s title defence ended with defeat in Seattle. Robbie being Robbie he did manage three goals in last three fixtures, including this typical Keane finish.
Who dat?! Goal King for #LAGalaxy. 1-1 SKC v Robbie Keane #SKCvLA pic.twitter.com/1SpAFee9a9
— Women United (@wunitedfc) October 26, 2015
Shane Long (Southampton) 58 caps 14 goals
Hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since injuring ankle during defeat to Poland. Has made the trip to Dublin but the prognosis of his club manager Ronald Koeman would not inspire confidence.
Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town) 17 caps
Last season’s Championship top scorer finally opened his account, 14 games into the new season. Had made five starts and one substitute appearance for the Tractor Boys since starting against Poland but broke his duck in style at Rotherham with a hat-trick, which was welcomed by Mick McCarthy.
Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids) 61 caps 14 goals
Colorado’s MLS season petered out two games after international break, with the Wexford man starting against Kansas City and Portland. Since then he has been enjoying some different sporting pursuits.
how dare anyone suggest im jumping on the broncos bandwagon😜 been a fan all my life 👍 @Broncos @ColoradoRapids #6-0 pic.twitter.com/fpnwmdW6vM
— Kevin Doyle (@KevinDoyle1983) November 1, 2015
