Manager
Brian Kerr
Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr is no stranger to success with a remarkable record in charge of national under-age teams between 1997 and 2003.

Assistant manager
Chris Hughton
Armed with an UEFA Pro Licence and with a reputation as a top coach, Chris Hughton is a valuable member of Brian Kerr's backroom team.  

Goalkeepers

Shay Given (Newcastle United)
Born: 20/4/76 Caps: 66
First cap: v Russia 27/03/96     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
 
Shay began his career at Celtic until moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1994. However he found it hard to displace Tim Flowers there and as a result he had two loan spells with Swindon and Sunderland before moving to Newcastle United in July 1997. The manager at St. James' Park at that time was Kenny Dalglish and this was the second time the Scot had bought Shay having brought him to Blackburn Rovers. Shay who won his first Senior cap against Russia in March '96, has been first choice at Newcastle for the last number of years and has now taken his caps tally to 65, leaving him second only to Packie Bonner as Ireland's most capped goalkeeper.
 

Nick Colgan (Barnsley)
Born: 19/9/73 Caps: 8
First cap: v Denmark 27/03/02     Last cap: v Nigeria 29/05/04 

After playing with Drogheda Boys, Nick moved to Chelsea in 1991 with whom he played just one game. While there he had loan spells with Crewe Alexandra, Grimsby Town, Millwall, Brentford and Reading, before joining Bournemouth in 1998. He spent just one season there before moving to Hibernian in July '99. With Hibs he made 147 appearances before making 17 appearances on loan to Stockport County last season and he has joined Barnsley for this campaign. Nick has won eight caps for the Republic.

Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Born: 17/5/78      Caps: 4
First cap: v Czech Republic 31/03/04            Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04

Paddy began his career with non-league Whitby before joining Bury for the 1999/¹00 season. He spent three seasons there before Neil Warnock signed him as cover for Simon Tracey at Sheffield United and it turned out to be some move for Paddy. He quickly became No.1 at Bramall Lane and since then has played in two Cup semi-finals and in a Division One play-off final. Paddy who is eligible for the Republic through his Longford-born father, won his first full cap against the Czech Republic here at Lansdowne Road last March and he has since won another two caps. 

Defenders

Gary Breen (Sunderland)
Born: 12/12/73 Caps: 62 Goals: 7
First cap: v Croatia 02/06/96     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Holland 04/06/96     Last goal: v Saudi Arabia 11/06/02 
 
Gary is a very experienced defender who had spells with Maidstone United, Gillingham, Peterborough United, Birmingham City and Coventry City before joining West Ham United in July 2002. However things did not work out for Gary at Upton Park and after just one season he joined his former Republic of Ireland international boss Mick McCarthy at Sunderland. He enjoyed a good first season there during the last campaign helping them to the First Division play-off semi-finals. Gary won his first full cap against Portugal in May '96 and has since added another 60 caps.

Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City)
Born: 28/6/71 Caps: 63 Goals: 0
First cap: v Czech Republic 24/04/96     Last cap:  v Croatia 16/11/04

Kenny played for Home Farm and Tolka Rovers before moving to Millwall during the 1991/92 season. In all he made 153 appearances for them before he joined Wimbledon in the 1994/95 season. Kenny enjoyed a long stay with the London club and did not move on until July 2002 when Steve Bruce signed him for Birmingham. Cunningham won his first Senior cap against the Czech Republic in Prague in April '96 and was made captain of the side after the World Cup in 2002, an honour he still holds. Kenny who has been a tremendous servant to Irish soccer has now won 62 caps.

Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
Born: 21/9/79 Caps: 21 Goals: 4
First cap: v Greece 26/04/00     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Mexico 04/06/00     Last goal: v Turkey 09/09/03 

Richard played for Home Farm and Everton before joining Manchester City in October 2003. The year 1998 was a particularly memorable one for him as he won his first B cap against Northern Ireland at Tolka Park in February, that summer he helped the Ireland Under-18s to success in the European Championships and that November he made his Ireland Under-21 debut against Yugoslavia in Snederevo. By that stage he had been included in Senior squads and he won his first full cap against Greece in April 2000. Richard has now won 20 caps, scoring four goals.

Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
Born: 20/4/76 Caps: 34 Goals: 1
First cap: v Greece 26/04/00     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Finland 15/11/00     Last goal: v Finland 15/11/00 

Steve began his career with Welling United before moving to Birmingham City in 1995. A spell with Notts County followed before in November 1988 Kevin Keegan signed him for Fulham. His impressive performances for them saw him leave London to join Liverpool at the start of last season, playing in 22 of their 38 Premiership games. Finnan won his first full cap against Greece in 2000 and was outstanding during the 2002 World Cup. Steve who has now won 33 caps has played a part in all four World Cup qualifying games to date.
 

Ian Harte (Levante)
Born: 31/8/77 Caps: 56 Goals: 9
First cap: v Croatia 02/06/96     Last cap: v Poland 28/04/04
First goal: v Bolivia 15/06/96     Last goal: v Czech Republic 31/03/04 

Still in his mid-20s, it seems like dead ball expert Ian Harte has been around for ever. He was handed his international debut in 1996 against Croatia having made just four appearances for Leeds and earned a regularly starting berth for the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign. However, as his club career flourished post 1998, he found himself out of the reckoning at international level though he returned for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and was the only player to play every minute as Ireland reached the World Cup for the first time in eight years. He also notched up three goals during the campaign — from left back — including a penalty against Iran in the play-off though he struggled at the World Cup because of a toe injury and the emergence of John O'Shea has restricted his appearances under Brian Kerr. Following Leeds' relgation from the Premiership in 2004, he joined Spanish side Levante. 
 

Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United)
Born: 29/6/79 Caps: 17 Goals: 0
First cap: v Estonia 06/06/01     Last cap:  v Faroe Islands 13/10/04

Andy came to prominence through the Bradford City youth system and he made his Senior debut for them in October 1997 against Queens Park Rangers. He quickly became a regular in the side and helped them to promotion to the Premiership during the 1998/99 season. He moved to Newcastle United in March 2001 and now with Jonathan Woodgate moving to Real Madrid he is the lynchpin of the defence. Andy won his first full cap against Estonia in Tallin in 2001 and has since won another 16 caps.

Stephen Carr (Newcastle United)
Born: 29/8/76 Caps: 35 Goals: 0
First cap: v Sweden 28/04/99     Last cap: v Faroe Islands 13/10/04

Stephen who had spells with Trinity Boys, St. Kevin's and Stella Maris in Dublin played for all his professional career with Spurs until joining Newcastle United last August. When injury-free he was a regular in the side at White Hart Lane and his move to St. James Park should suit his known attacking flair. Stephen won his first full cap against Sweden in April 1999 but due to injury he missed the 2002 World Cup. Fully fit he has regained a regular spot in the Republic side taking his caps tally to 35 and adding to his caps at B, Under-21 and Youth levels.

Gary Doherty (Norwich City)
Born: 31/1/80 Caps: 29 Goals: 4
First cap: v Greece 26/04/00     Last cap: v Faroe Islands 13/10/04
First goal: v USA 17/04/02     Last goal: v Georgia 11/06/03

Gary is a real Mr. Versatile who is equally at home in defence or attack. He began his career with Luton before moving to Tottenham Hotspur with whom he was with until last August when he joined Norwich ‹ and he has since played a major role in their bid for Premiership survival. Doherty who won numerous underage awards included a European Championship Under-18 medal in 1998 won his first full cap against Greece in 2000. He missed the World Cup in 2002 due to the fact that he was only recovered from a broken leg but he has battled back into the Senior squad and now has won 29 caps.

John O'Shea (Manchester United)
Born: 30/4/81 Caps: 21 Goals: 1
First cap: v Croatia 15/08/01     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Australia 19/09/03    Last goal: v Australia 19/09/03

John signed professional terms with Manchester United in August 1998 and he made his debut for them just over a year later, away to Aston Villa in a Worthington Cup defeat. After spending two seasons in the Reserves, he joined Second Division Bournemouth on loan in January 2000. John returned to Old Trafford in March 2000 before another loan spell during the 2000/01 season to Royal Antwerp and since his return he has been a regular in the United side. John won his first cap against Croatia in August 2001 and scored his first international goal against Australia in August 2003.

 

Alan Maybury (Hearts)
Born: 8/8/78     Caps: 9    Goals: 0
First cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98     Last cap: v Cyprus 04/09/04

Alan who first played for St. Kevin's Boys moved to Leeds United in 1995, joining a whole host of Irish who were at the club at the time. While at Elland Road he had loan spells with Crewe and Reading before moving up to Scotland in 2001 to join Hearts. Maybury, who won caps for Ireland at Youth, Under-21 and B levels, won his first Senior cap in 1998 against the Czech Republic in Olomouc and the following year he lined out against Northern Ireland.However after that he fell out of favour but under Brian Kerr he has reclaimed his place in the squad and has now won nine caps.

Midfielders

Matt Holland (Charlton Athletic)
Born: 11/4/74 Caps: 43 Goals: 5
First cap: v Macedonia 09/10/99     Last cap: v Holland 05/06/04
First goal: v Portugal 07/10/00     Last goal: v Romania 27/05/04 

Although on the books as a youngster at West Ham United, Matt never played for them and in January 1995 he moved to Bournemouth. While there he became captain before in July 1997 he signed for Ipswich Town. At one stage he played an amazing 223 games in succession for Ipswich and became a firm crowd favourite before leaving them in June 2003 to join Charlton Athletic. Last season he played in every league game for them and is also captain of the club. Matt won his first Senior cap against Macedonia in October 1999 and scored a memorable goal against Cameroon in the 2002 World Cup finals.

Roy Keane (Manchester United)
Born: 10/08/71     Caps: 63     Goals: 9
First cap: v Chile 22/05/91      Last Cap: v Faroe Islands 13/11/04
First goal: v Northern Ireland 12/10/94     Last goal: v Cyprus 06/10/01 

Roy played with Cobh Ramblers and Nottingham Forest before joining Manchester United in 1993. Since at Old Trafford he has enjoyed tremendous success with them winning seven championships, three FA Cups and of course the European title in 1999, although he did miss the final due to suspension. At the start of the 1997/98 season he took over the captaincy of United and has long been an invaluable member of the set-up there. Roy won his first international cap against Chile in 1991 and played in the 1994 World Cup finals. Although he missed the 2002 finals due to his infamous clash with Mick McCarthy he is now back to help in a bid to qualify for the 2006 finals. 
 

Kevin Kilbane (Everton)
Born: 1/2/77 Caps: 59 Goals: 4
First cap: v Iceland 06/09/97     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Finland 15/11/00     Last goal: v Scotland 12/02/03 

Kevin began his career with his home town club and had a spell with West Brom before joining Sunderland in December 1999, playing under Mick McCarthy for a spell at the latter. In September 2003 he joined Everton, he made his debut for them that month against Newcastle at Goodison and in doing so he was reunited with David Moyes, the Everton manager having coached him as a teenager at Preston. For the Republic he won his first Senior cap against Iceland in 1997 and he has virtually been ever-present in the squad since, taking his caps tally to 58.
 

Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
Born: 10/3/81 Caps: 13 Goals: 2
First cap: v Croatia 15/08/01     Last cap: v Poland 28/04/04
First goal: v Russia 13/02/02     Last goal: v Nigeria 16/05/02

Steven Reid was a late addition to Mick McCarthy's World Cup squad following the withdrawal of the injured Mark Kennedy, but his early performances in a green shirt suggest he will be a regular in Ireland squads for years to come. The 22-year-old made his debut for Ireland against Croatia last year after some impressive performances for Millwall and the Ireland Under 21s. A clever footballer with a ferocious shot, he is comfortable playing on either wing, though has been largely used by Ireland on the right side. Reid was part of the Millwall underage set up when former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was manager at the Den, though he didn't make his first team debut until 1998. Selected by England at Under 16 level, the Londoner was eligible to play for Ireland because of his Irish grandmother. He scored his first goal for Ireland against Russia in February 2002, adding a second against Nigeria on the eve of the World Cup. Injuries have meant he has yet to figure prominently for Brian Kerr but a move to the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers in 2003 have boosted his chances.

Colin Healy (Sunderland)
Born: 14/3/80 Caps: 13 Goals: 1
First cap: v Russia 13/02/02     Last cap: v Switzerland 11/10/03
First goal: v Finland 21/08/02     Last goal: v Finland 21/08/02

Since Colin Healy made his debut against Russia in February, 2002, he has been tipped by everyone as the man to lead Ireland for many years to come. Born in Cork, Healy was first spotted by Celtic and joined them as a teenager when he found an admirer in Martin O'Neill, but with the experienced pair of Paul Lambert and Neil Lennon ahead of him in the pecking order, Healy was always on the fringes of the team. After making only a handful of appearances during the 2001/02 season, Healy jumped at the chance to join Coventry City on loan and while there Mick McCarthy spotted him and immediately called him into the squad for his debut against Russia. He was named man of the match and impressed again in his next two appearances against Denmark and Russia. However, McCarthy remained faithful to the squad that qualified for the World Cup meaning Healy was left at home, though as the Roy Keane affair came to a head, there was a request to call up the midfielder. He was back in the squad at the start of the Euro 2004 qualifiers and has made a number of appearances since and is expected to become a fixture in the side in the coming years. In 2003, he joined Sunderland in order to play more first team football.

Rory Delap (Southampton)
Born: 6/7/76    Caps: 11     Goals: 0
First cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98     Last cap: v Czech Republic 31/03/04

Rory played for Carlisle United and Derby County before joining his present club Southampton for £4 million in July 2001. An Ireland Under-21 and B international he won his first Senior cap against the Czech Republic in Olomouc in March 98. Due to injury he has missed a number of the recent squads but fully fit he returns for this crucial tie this afternoon. Rory is a long-throw specialist, and can cause opposing defences major trouble with this constant ariel threat.

Alan Quinn (Sheffield United)
Born: 13/6/79 Caps: 6  Goals: 0
First cap: v Norway 30/04/03     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04

Alan who began his football career with the famous Cherry Orchard side, moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 1997 before moving across the city to join Sheffield United at the end of last season. Another player who came through the Irish underage set-up, he scored Ireland¹s goal in the 1998 European Championship Under-18 final against Germany, before scoring a penalty in the historic shoot-out success. He won his first full cap against Norway in 2003 and has now won five caps.

Stephen McPhail (Barnsley)
Born: 9/12/79 Caps: 10 Goals: 1
First cap: v Greece 26/04/00     Last cap: v Nigeria 29/05/04
First goal: v South Africa 11/06/00     Last goal: v South Africa 11/06/00

Since first bursting onto the international stage at underage level, Stephen McPhail has been likened to a young Liam Brady. Born in Queens, New York, McPhail moved to Ireland with his Irish parents as a child and after playing schoolboy football in Dublin, he joined Leeds United. When David O'Leary initially took over, McPhail was one of the players given an opportunity in the first team, but an Achilles injury kept him out for most of the 2000/01 season, though he did earn a place in Ireland's US Cup squad. The young midfielder didn't feature for Leeds in 2002, and under the management of Terry Venables, he failed to hold down a regular place in the side. Loan spells with Millwall and Nottingham Forest have had differing results though he has regained a regular place in the Ireland squad. 
 

Graham Kavanagh (Cardiff City)
Born: 2/12/73  Caps: 9   Goals: 1
First cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Sweden 28/04/99     Last goal: v Sweden 28/04/99

Graham began his football career with Home Farm before moving on to Middlesbrough. While there he had a loan spell with Darlington before joining Stoke City in October 96,  he is now with Cardiff City. An Irish Under-21 and B player, he won his first full cap against the Czech Republic in March 98. Further caps followed against Sweden and Northern Ireland, the latter in May 99 but after that he did not play again until last November when he lined-out against Canada. He has since made another four appearances.
 

Liam Miller (Manchester United)
Born: 13/2/81  Caps: 7   Goals: 0
First cap: v Czech Republic 31/03/04    Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04

Liam who is one of the brightest young prospects in the game in England at the moment is certainly well aware of Brian Kerr¹s management techniques, having played in numerous underage sides for him. Miller impressive performances for Celtic last season in the Champions League caught the eye of Alex Ferguson in Manchester United and he joined that famous club at the start of this season. He won his first full cap against the Czech Republic in March 2003 and now has won six caps.
 

Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest)
Born: 29/7/82  Caps: 12   Goals: 2
First cap: v Canada 18/11/03     Last cap: v Faroe Islands 13/10/04
First goal: v Bulgaria 18/08/04     Last goal: v Cyprus 04/09/04

Andy is one of the most talked about and sought after footballers at the moment after a string of impressive performances with Nottingham Forest. He made his debut for them in November 2000 against Sheffield United, and has since become of their star players. Surely it is only a matter of time before he plays Premiership football. Andy who played for the Republic at Under-18 and Under-21 grades won his first Senior cap against Canada last November and in the last few months he has scored goals against both Bulgaria and Cyprus.
 

Graham Barrett (Coventry City)
Born: 06/10/81     Caps: 6    Goals: 2
First cap: v Finland 18/08/02     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Finland 18/08/02     Last goal: v  Jamaica 02/06/04 

Graham who was signed by Arsenal in 1997 as a youngster, had spells on loan with Bristol Rovers, Crewe Alexandra and Colchester United while on the Gunners' books. He finally left Highbury when signing for Brighton and he stayed there until joining his present club Coventry City during the summer of 2003. Graham who played for Ireland at every level from Under-15 to Under-21 grade, played a major role in helping Ireland to success in Scotland in the Under-16 European Championships in 1998. He won his first full cap against Finland in Helsinki in August 2002, marking the occasion by scoring a goal, and he has now won five caps.

Strikers

David Connolly (Leicester City)
Born: 6/6/77 Caps: 40 Goals: 9
First cap: v Portugal 29/05/96     Last cap: v Switzerland 11/09/03
First goal: v USA 09/06/96     Last goal: v Turkey 09/09/03 
 
 Much travelled player who began his career with Watford and has had spells since with Feyenoord, Excelsior (loan), Wolves (loan), Wimbledon and West Ham United before joining Leicester City at the start of this season. David won his first full cap against Portugal in May ¹96, and scored a notable hat-trick against Liechtenstein 12 months later. In all he has scored nine goals for the Republic out of 40 appearances.

Damien Duff (Chelsea)
Born: 2/3/79 Caps: 49 Goals: 6
First cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Croatia 15/08/01     Last goal: v Canada 18/11/03 
 
 Damien played with St. Kevin's, Lourdes and Leicester Celtic before joining Blackburn in March 1996. His amazing talent soon lit up the Premiership scene in England and in July 2003, Chelsea paid no less than 24 million euro for his services. Despite playing in such a star laden side, Damien stood out and there is no doubt that Chelsea may have won a major title where it not for his shoulder injury that ruined the latter stages of his season. Damien who won his first full cap against the Czech Republic in March '98 also helped the Ireland Youths to finish third in the World Cup in Malaysia in 1997.
 

Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Born: 8/7/80 Caps: 56 Goals: 24
First cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04
First goal: v Malta 14/10/98     Last goal: v Croatia 16/11/04

Robbie started his career with Crumlin United and played for Wolves, Coventry City, Inter Milan and Leeds United before joining his present club Tottenham Hotspur. In 1998 he helped the Ireland Under-18s to success in the European Championships and the following year he played for the Irish Youths in the World Cup in Nigeria. He won his first Senior cap against the Czech Republic in Olomouc in March 98 and has now scored 23 international goals, breaking the all-time record held by Niall Quinn, when scoring twice last month against the Faroe Islands.

Clinton Morrison (Birmigham City)
Born: 14/5/79 Caps: 24 Goals: 7
First cap: v Croatia 15/08/01     Last cap: v Switzerland 08/09/04
First goal: v Croatia 15/08/01     Last goal: v Switzerland 08/09/04

Clinton came through the Crystal Palace youth set-up and he certainly did not let anyone down at the club scoring 71 goals in 181 appearances for them. In the summer of 2002 he moved to Birmingham City and he quickly became a firm crowd favourite by scoring his first goal for them against none other than arch-rivals Aston Villa. Clinton who could have played for a number of other countries declared for the Republic and he won his first Senior cap against Croatia in August 2001. He has since won another 23 caps scoring seven goals in the process.

Alan Lee (Cardiff City)
Born: 21/8/78 Caps: 7  Goals: 0
First cap: v Norway 30/04/03     Last cap: v Cyprus 04/09/04 
 
 Alan joined Aston Villa as a trainee and soon afterwards was awarded a professional contract. While at Villa Park he had loan spells with Torquay United and Port Vale before moving to Burnley in July 1999. 14 months later he was moving again, this time to Rotherham and he was there until moving to Cardiff City at the start of last season. An Irish Under-21 international he won his first full cap against Norway here at Lansdowne Road in April 2003 and he has now won eight caps.

Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Born: 4/4/86   Caps: 2     Goals: 0
First cap: v  Jamaica 02/06/04     Last cap: v Croatia 16/11/04

Aiden who qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, first played at international level at Under-16 grade. Since then he has gone though all the levels up to the Under-21s, playing under Brian Kerr on a number of occasions. His form for Celtic last season saw him included in the Ireland Senior squad for the first time for the summer internationals. Aiden won his first cap when playing against Jamaica last June and now returns to the squad for this international against the Czech Republic this evening.

Jonathan Macken (Manchester City)
Born: 7/9/77     Caps: 1        Goals: 0
First goal: v Bulgaria 18/08/04     Last goal: v Bulgaria 18/08/04 
Jon played with Manchester United and Preston North End before joining Manchester City in a club record deal in March 2002. He played in the World Youth Championships for England, but has since declared for Ireland and he won his first full cap against Bulgaria earlier this year. He has not played in the World Cup qualifiers to date but now returns to the squad for this international this evening.

Stephen Elliott(Sunderland) 

Born: 6/1/84     Caps: 1        Goals: 0
First goal: v Croatia 16/11/04     Last goal: v Croatia 16/11/04 
Stephen had spells with Belvedere, Stella Maris and Manchester City before linking up with Mick McCarthy at Sunderland at the start of this season. Ireland¹s top scorer in the World Youth Championships with three goals, he won his first Under-21 cap when playing against Germany in June 2003. Since then he has gone on to become Ireland¹s record scorer at that level and is now rewarded by being called up into the Ireland Senior squad for the first time for the game this evening.