McCarthy and Garvan start as Givens goes on offensive for Germany clash
DON Givens yesterday announced an attacking starting XI for the international U-21 friendly against Germany at Turner's Cross tonight, with the promising duo of James McCarthy and Owen Garvan handed starting midfield berths for the game.
One notable exclusion was Dutch-born Barry Maguire, who has an Irish father, after he decided last week to hold off his allegiances to Ireland, despite being called up to the squad last month.
It was thought Maguire, a promising young midfielder playing in the Dutch Premier League with FC Utrecht, had decided to commit to the Irish cause. But, with the Netherlands' underage set-up continuing to show interest in his services, Maguire withdrew from Givens' side.
He said: "I intend to remain available for Holland at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'll never play for Ireland."
Another young starlet, Celtic's Cillian Sheridan, who is currently on loan at Motherwell, will win his first U-21 cap as he starts up front alongside exciting Crystal Palace winger Sean Scannell and Alan Judge of Blackburn Rovers.
In an otherwise inexperienced squad, Nottingham Forest full-back Brendan Moloney and centre-back Shane Lowry of Aston Villa will also be playing their first games for Ireland at U-21 level.
Ireland (v Germany) -- S Redmond (Nottingham Forest); B Moloney (Nottingham Forest), M Spillane (Norwich City), S Lowry (Aston Villa), M Liddle (Sunderland/Carlisle), S Gleeson (Stockport County), J McCarthy (Hamilton Academicals), O Garvan (Ipswich Town), A Judge (Blackburn Rovers), C Sheridan (Celtic/Motherwell), S Scannell (Crystal Palace).
- Neil Ahern
