At last, Ireland’s team for Croatia is named

After seven months of anticipation, Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team to face Croatia. Number of surprises? Zero.

After all the excitement of qualification, squad selection, the rise of James McClean, the injury to Keith Fahey, the Kevin Foley affair and a lacklustre final game against Hungary, Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team for Ireland first tournament game in a decade.

And is there any late shocks, any changes in formation? You must be joking. Trap has picked the team that everyone expected.

Shay Given, as Alan Kelly promised us in midweek, will play in goal. The back four are as familiar as always with John O’Shea also fit to play. Stephen Ward takes the other corner while Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger are the central defenders.

It was always a long shot but James McClean doesn’t get the nod, with Damian Duff and Aiden McGeady taking the wide berths. Safe and steady duo Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews operate in the middle.

Up front, Kevin Doyle will partner Robbie Keane, so Shane Long and Jon Walters will have to wait for a run from the bench.

That’s it. If we weren’t so pumped for the match we would call it boring but after waiting this long for Ireland to get back on the biggest stage, we are just thrilled to have a story like this to write.

Just 27 hours to go until kick-off.

Ireland team to face Croatia: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St. Ledger, Ward, Duff, Andrews ,Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Doyle.