IRELAND'S NEW BOYS GAIN A DRAW IN SERBIA

James McCarthy will have given the Ireland boss a selection headache ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign

The Republic of Ireland conjured an admirable performance against Serbia to consign to the past their harrowing Euro 2012 campaign.

The match at the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade may only have been a friendly, but it was crucial Giovanni Trapattoni's side emerged with creditability after a summer to forget, and they did exactly that.

Chances were sparse in a game that lacked sparkle overall, but at least Kieren Westwood proved himself as Shay Given's replacement for the long term with one stunning save late on to guarantee a deserved 0-0 draw.

For Trapattoni, the starting line-up on show tonight was very different to the one that took to the field in the final group game against Italy in Euro 2012.

The only survivors from a 2-0 defeat were John O'Shea, serving as captain for the first time, Aiden McGeady and Glenn Whelan.

Of those absent, goalkeeper Given announced his retirement from international football on Monday, while Robbie Keane and Damien Duff were given permission to miss this game.

Of the others, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward and Kevin Doyle all have injuries and Keith Andrews was omitted given his pending suspension for the opening World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on 7 September after being dismissed against Italy.

It meant there was at least a degree of freshness to what was a relatively experimental line-up, in particular as Trapattoni at least kept to his word and changed the formation.

Trapattoni, who had rigidly adhered to a 4-4-2 during Euro 2012, adopted a 4-1-4-1 format, with Whelan sitting in between defence and midfield, and Stoke team-mate Jon Walters serving as the lone frontman.

For the opening 45 minutes Ireland looked more solid and compact than at any time in Poland where they were often cruelly exposed, albeit the calibre of opposition was considerably higher.

But they at least frustrated Serbia whose attempt to work their way in behind the Irish defence often floundered.

Instead, the home side's best opportunities came the way of Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov from distance, both within a minute of one another.

The first from around 20 yards was dragged slightly wide, whilst the second from a further five yards away took a deflection en route.

With big shoes to fill in light of Given's departure, Sunderland goalkeeper Westwood adjusted himself well as he made a smart save low to his right.

As for Ireland, there was a Walters drive deflected wide, whilst the industrious Whelan suffered a similar fate later in the half.

From the corner, however, the ball eventually fell Whelan's way, resulting in a driven half-volley from 20 yards that goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic grabbed at the second attempt after initially clawing the effort out of the air.

For once Stojkovic, previously booed and whistled every time he had touched the ball given he plays for local rivals Partizan, was given some credit by the predominantly pro-Red Star crowd.

After the restart, and following a 26-yard free-kick from Kolarov lifted narrowly over the crossbar in the 51st minute, it was the Republic who went on to conjure two of the game's better chances.

Initially, in the 56th minute, McGeady produced a jinking run in midfield to create some space for himself before laying a ball out wide to James McClean.

Following a surging run down the left flank the Sunderland winger delivered a low ball into the area that was flicked only a yard wide by McGeady.

Soon after Ireland again strode forward purposefully, sparked by a fine challenge in midfield by Wigan's James McCarthy.

It resulted in a pass into the path of McGeady who, at the second attempt, brought a clutch stop out of Stojkovic after his first effort was blocked.

The save of the game, though, belonged to Westwood in the 71st minute who proved himself superbly with a full-stretch effort away to his left in turning aside a low 20-yard free-kick from Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

As to be expected with any pre-season friendly, a raft of substitutions unfolded throughout the second half.

The most notable of those saw West Ham's Joey O'Brien on for the final 11 minutes to win his first cap for five years having suffered a catalogue of injuries in the intervening period.

(c) Rte Sport

SHAY GIVEN RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has announced his retirement from international soccer.

Given, who made the revelation via Twitter, is the most capped Republic of Ireland international of all time, having amassed 120 caps.The Aston Villa netminder made his debut against Russia in 1996.

The 36-year-old tweeted: “After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football.
“It's been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team.

I shall remain a huge fan of the team as I have been all my life and I wish them every success for the future.
“I wish to thank all the players, managers, staff and most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world.
“Finally I would like to thank my wife Jane, my two amazing kids and my entire family for their unwavering support over the 16 years and 125 caps.”

The Aston Villa number one was omitted from Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for the friendly against Serbia on Wednesday, with the Italian looking to blood youngsters following their disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.

Given was an ever-present in Poland and Ukraine as the Republic lost all three of their group games to Croatia and finalists Spain and Italy.

But with a World Cup qualifying campaign that opens with a trip to Kazakhstan just around the corner, the 36-year-old has opted to stand aside.

The former Newcastle and Manchester City keeper told the FAI's official website: "This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make."I have dedicated 16 years of my life to my country, and I have a great affinity with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad."
I'd like to thank the Giovanni, (assistant) Marco (Tardelli) and Alan Kelly for their support during my time with the team.

I will continue to be Ireland's biggest fan, and wish the lads well as they embark upon their new campaign."

Given made his name with Newcastle but it was his on-loan performances for fierce rivals Sunderland and, prior to that, Swindon from Blackburn that caught the attentions of then Republic boss Mick McCarthy.

He had established himself as a regular for both club and country before 2002, where he played a key role as the Irish reached the second round of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea before being knocked out by Spain on penalties.

Given won his 100th cap in a World Cup qualifier against Montenegro in October 2009.

Trapattoni thanked Given for his efforts, telling the FAI website: "I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make, and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career.

"He is a strong player, with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through."It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team. I wish him the very best in his future."

Farewell Shay, thanks for your outstanding dislays down the years for Ireland.

GALWAY BEAT CORK & GET TO THE ALL-IRELAND FINAL

Galway 0-22 Cork 0-17

Galway are through to their first All-Ireland SHC final since 2005 after overcoming Cork by 0-22 to 0-17 at Croke Park this afternoon.

The Rebels led for much of the first half, with captain Pat Horgan and Paudie O'Sullivan scoring well.

But it took a late Horgan free to level matters at 0-11 apiece for half-time as Galway, with Joe Canning scoring 0-7, finished strongly.

The Leinster champions edged a pulsating second period with their defence improving and Canning and Damien Hayes shooting them through to the September 9 decider.

There was a degree of rustiness to Galway, who were last in action in that historic provincial final win over Kilkenny five weeks ago, but they threw off the shackles after the break to move a step closer to All-Ireland glory.

Cork emptied their strong bench in a bid to overhaul Anthony Cunningham’s men, however Johnny Coen and Fergal Moore were rock solid in the Tribesmen’s rearguard and the firepower of Canning, who finished with 0-11, was hugely influential in this goalless encounter.

Cork boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy brought Lorcán McLoughlin and Conor Lehane back into the team that defeated Waterford last time out, with Daniel Kearney and Niall McCarthy making way.

Galway were unchanged from the Kilkenny game apart from the late withdrawal of Cyril Donnellan who has been nursing a chipped bone below his elbow.

Donnellan’s place in attack went to James Regan and his team-mate Damien Hayes picked off the opening point after just 27 seconds.

Cork had the breeze at their backs and captain Pat Horgan brought them level from a free, before Jamie Coughlan fastened onto a long Anthony Nash puck-out to make it 0-2 to 0-1.

Fergal Moore ferociously clattered into Lehane to prevent the youngster getting a clear shot, giving a glimpse of the intensity that Galway played with against Kilkenny.

Clever stick work allowed Cian McCarthy add to Cork’s lead, but an unchallenged Pa Cronin shot a poor wide and a Joe Canning free brought it back to 0-3 to 0-2.

Niall Burke was wayward with a couple of efforts and Nash was equal to an opportunist, low-slung free from Canning after Hayes’ pace had caused concern for the Rebels’ rearguard.

A loose clearance from Moore gifted a 10th minute point to Paudie O’Sullivan, with both defences coming under incessant pressure.

The gap was down to one again following a long range Canning free, and Regan announced himself with a tremendous leveller, with Niall Donoghue and Iarla Tannian doing the donkey work.

Cork nipped ahead again thanks to a Horgan free and he tagged on another in the 18th minute after his own fine catch in midfield.

O’Sullivan, moving extremely well, then cancelled out a Canning free to maintain the two-point advantage.

Profiting from a short puck-out tactic, Galway swooped downfield and Conor Cooney’s clever centre teed up Canning for his first point from play.

Cork goalkeeper Nash did well to thwart Cooney at the expense of a ‘65’ which Canning lofted over, bringing the Leinster champions level in the 26th minute

.But Galway were unable to fire on all cylinders, with robust defending from the likes of Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Eoin Cadogan forcing mistakes - David Burke hit his side’s fifth wide.

Horgan nudged Cork back in front from a textbook free - his fourth of the contest - and Galway’s wastefulness continued with Tannian’s spooned attempt drifting wide.

Barry-Murphy’s charges were much more economical with their possession, an example of which saw corner forward O’Sullivan collecting his third point from play.

In timely fashion, Galway upped the tempo in the closing five minutes of the first half.

David Burke’s persistence paid off with a deserved score and Canning lobbed over his sixth point from the left.

Hayes darted through the middle and set up Canning for the lead score at 0-10 to 0-9, but Cork replied swiftly with Luke O’Farrell getting off the mark.

David Burke doubled his tally with a pinpoint shot from near the left sideline, before Horgan had the final say in injury-time - firing over a terrific free from distance to tie the sides at 0-11 apiece.

Horgan clipped over a close range free after O’Sullivan was brought down early in a sun-splashed second period, and as Galway pressed for an equaliser a first-time pull from Cooney flew narrowly past Nash’s far post.

Canning won a free which he sent over to level the sides for the seventh time, and a trademark burst from Hayes saw the Portumna flyer move Galway ahead.

Two sweetly-struck passes from Andy Smith and David Burke played in Canning for his ninth of the day and suddenly Anthony Cunningham’s men had a two-point lead.

Tigerish play from Canning, who was drawing more and more Cork defenders, laid the platform for a Niall Burke point, before Horgan rallied his troops with a well-hit effort from play.

But there was a sense that Galway had found an extra gear, with their two-man full-forward line of Canning and Hayes keeping the Cork defence more than occupied.

Niall Burke drilled over his second, much to the delight of the Galway contingent in the 41,537 attendance, and the same player produced a brilliant save from Nash as the Tribesmen went for the jugular.

Canning converted the resulting ‘65’ and Hayes slotted over shortly afterwards, in response to a score from Cork substitute Darren Sweetnam.

Cork, aided by some fresh legs, gained some precious momentum as a Cronin snapshot cleared the crossbar and substitute Cathal Naughton weighed in with a rousing effort from the left.

The margin was down to two again, 0-18 to 0-16, as the hour mark approached.

Galway responded with a point from Regan, although their wides tally soon increased to 10.

The pressure was really on and Cork, as determined as ever, showed no signs of falling away.

Net-minder Nash thumped over a long range free, only for Andy Smith to reply in the next attack.

Cork were hanging in there despite wides from Nash and Niall McCarthy, while a strike from O’Sullivan on Canning’s hand produced the semi-final’s only yellow card.

After receiving treatment, Canning split the posts with another accurately-struck free, stretching Galway into a four-point lead as the signal came for three minutes of injury-time.

Cork desperately craved a goal but the Galway defence stood up to the task, particularly the heroic Coen and Moore, and a final point from Hayes sealed the deal for the westerners.

Scorers: Galway: J Canning 0-11 (0-05f, 0-02 ‘65‘), D Hayes 0-04, J Regan, D Burke, N Burke 0-02 each, A Smith 0-01

Cork: P Horgan 0-07 (0-06f), P O’Sullivan 0-03, J Coughlan, C McCarthy, L O’Farrell, D Sweetnam, P Cronin, C Naughton, A Nash (0-01f) 0-01 each

WHO WILL WIN THE ALL-IRELAND HURLING FINAL?
	GALWAY
	KILKENNY
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