Martin O’Neill has named a side featuring wholesale changes to face Belarus in Turner’s Cross this evening, writes Stephen Barry.
The experimental team includes only four players from the team that defeated Bosnia to earn Ireland’s spot in France.
The centre-back pairing of Richard Keogh, who captains the team, and Ciaran Clark are reunited, while Jeff Hendrick and Daryl Murphy also feature.
Midfield, in particular, will feature a battle for squad places between Aiden McGeady, Darron Gibson and David Meyler, who line-up alongside Hendrick and James McClean.
Meanwhile the full-back deputies Cyrus Christie and Stephen Ward are given starting roles.
Shay Given is selected in goal ahead of David Forde and Keiren Westwood, who were in Football League play-off action at the weekend.
BREAKING: The Republic of Ireland starting team to face Belarus has been named. #COYBIG #IRLBEL pic.twitter.com/H4qSiKO0BD
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) May 31, 2016
Wes Hoolahan is a notable absentee as Martin O’Neill had hinted that the Norwich playmaker was in line for a start against Belarus.
He is on the bench, but the injured James McCarthy, Robbie Keane and Harry Arter, who travelled home to England today, are left off the list off replacements.
Subs: Forde (GK), Westwood (GK), Coleman, O'Shea, Duffy, Brady, O'Dowda, Whelan, Hoolahan, Quinn, O'Kane, Long, Walters, McGoldrick. #COYBIG
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) May 31, 2016
Kick-off at Turner’s Cross is at 7.45pm, with the 23-man Euro 2016 squad set to be announced after 11pm.
