Mick McCarthy has left out Phil Babb and Mark Kennedy from his squad to face Denmark in Dublin on Febuary 28th. The two will have to wait at least another month before being allowed the chance to resume their international careers.
The manager explained the absence of Babb with a simple: "He is down the pecking order," suggesting that even if last year’s late-night incident with a parked car had not happened, Babb would not have been considered.
The return of Kenny Cunningham, who McCarthy said "has always been my number one", and the splendid form of Gary Doherty in the heart of Tottenham Hotspur’s defence may mean Babb’s international playing days could be over.
Referring to 21-year-old Doherty, McCarthy said: "It was a straight choice between himself and [Bradford’s] Andy O’Brien but I felt Gary is playing with a better defensive unit at Spurs."
Kennedy may be considered similarly superfluous at the moment as both Sunderland's Kevin Kilbane and Blackburn’s Damien Duff are excelling with their clubs.
Denmark have yet to name their squad for the match but manager Morten Olsen is expected to include foreign-based stars such as Bundesliga top-scorer Ebbe Sand in an effort to improve on last week’s dismal performances in the King’s Cup when a squad of Denmark-based players fell to defeats by South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alan Kelly, Shay Given, Dean Kiely Defenders: Stephen Carr, Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte, Steve Staunton, Gary Breen, Richard Dunne, Gary Doherty
Midfielders: Roy Keane, Mark Kinsella, Steve Finnan, Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley, Rory Delap, Matt Holland
Forwards: Damien Duff, Niall Quinn, David Connolly, Robbie Keane.