DAMIEN DUFF RETIRES FROM IRISH TEAM DUTY

 

IRELAND legend Damien Duff today retired from international football ahead of the naming of the Ireland squad for an upcoming World Cup qualifier.

  The 33-year-old flying winger, who won 100 caps since making his debut in 1998, has informed coach Giovanni Trapattoni that he no longer wishes to be considered for selection.

Duff told the FAI website: "I found it very difficult to make this decision, not least for the respect in which I hold Giovanni Trapattoni.
"I have enjoyed so many good times in the green jersey and want to thank everyone involved, especially the fans for making the last 14 years so special.

"I want to wish Giovanni, Marco and everyone involved with the Irish team every success for the future and will be supporting them every step of the way."

Fulham midfielder Duff captained Ireland in their last Euro 2012 group game against Italy.

The news comes after goalkeeper Shay Given announced his international retirement last week.

Current Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: "Damien will be missed by us and by Irish fans everywhere. "He was immensely skilful and a great example to the players who come after him.
 I give him my warmest best wishes for his future career."

Duff joined Blackburn as a trainee in 1996 and stayed until 2003, spending three seasons at Chelsea and Newcastle before signing for Fulham in 2009.
He made his senior debut for the Republic against the Czech Republic alongside Robbie Keane.

Paddy McCaul, president of the FAI said: "Damien produced some moments of unforgettable magic on the pitch that will remain with Irish fans forever. "We thank him for his enormous dedication over the last 14 years."

John Delaney, chief executive added: "I have no doubt that Damien Duff will go down in history as one of Ireland's greatest ever players. "He has been an extraordinary servant to his country and has given us all some wonderful memories as well as being a true gentleman. Thank you Damien and all the best for the future."

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.