Five-star Republic sink Tuscan XI World Soccer Shop

Discarded defender Kevin Foley played 45 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's 5-0 friendly win against a Tuscan XI on Tuesday night.

Keane: Made it 2-0

Just hours after being told he would not be going to Euro 2012 the Wolves defender was introduced as a half-time substitute in the victory over a Serie C and D representative side put together by Giovanni Trapattoni's former players, Ennio Pellegrini and Aldo Firicano.

Skipper Robbie Keane's first-half double either side of Simon Cox's strike eased the Republic out of sight by the break, and substitutes Shane Long and Jon Walters struck after it to complete the scoring on a night when the result was largely immaterial.

Foley's participation came after he had been told he was being left out of the final 23 for Poland and Ukraine despite clearly being fit with Paul McShane, who joined up last week as defensive cover, getting the nod instead.

The game, the proceeds from which were being donated to charity in memory of the late Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, kicked off after the two teams observed a minute's silent in memory of the victims of Tuesday morning's earthquake, tremors from which were felt on Montecatini, at the Stadio Menali.

Keane set the ball rolling when he capitalised on an error by central defender Federico Settepassi to smash home a rising 18th-minute drive, and he might have made it 2-0 three minutes later after Corrado Colombo, his former Inter Milan team-mate, had hit the post at the other end, but miskicked in front of goal.

James McClean saw a 24th-minute shot beaten away by Francesco Gaffino, who produced a fine save to keep out Cox's effort from Stephen Hunt's cross, only for the striker to fire home the rebound.

Keane did help himself to a second goal after a slick build-up between Paul Green and Cox 14 minutes before the break.

Keane, McClean, Richard Dunne and Keiren Westwood made way at half-time for Long, Walters, Foley and David Forde, and the West Brom frontman hit the bar within three minutes of his arrival.

Forde had to get down well to keep out a 54th-minute strike from Gianluca Bugelli, but Long made it 4-0 after beating the offside trap 10 minutes later.

Green smashed a long-range 80th-minute shot wide after exchanging passes with Long, but Walters completed the scoring four minutes later after Foley's free-kick had been parried by substitute goalkeeper Tomasso Strambi.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17405/five_star_republic_sink_tuscan_xi

Foley out, McShane in for Irish World Soccer Shop

Injured Wolves defender Kevin Foley has been ruled out of Euro 2012, with Paul McShane replacing him in the Republic of Ireland squad.

Foley: Won't be part of Euro 2012 squad

Foley reported for duty with a hamstring problem and has been aiming ever since to shake it off, but he has now become the second man to be sent home following Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey's departure at the weekend.

Republic coach Giovanni Trapattoni said: "Although Kevin has been recovering well, I have made the difficult decision to leave him out of the 23-player list after completing fitness tests on John O'Shea and Paul McShane this morning.

"I have spoken to him and understand how difficult it is, saying that he can remain with the squad if he wishes."

Ironically, Foley trained at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti in Borgo A Buggiano on Monday night, while McShane did not after suffering a bruised heel during Saturday's 1-0 friendly victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin.

However, the inclusion of goalkeeper Shay Given and defender O'Shea, who have both been nursing injuries in the last week, suggests Trapattoni is confident they will both be fit in time for the opening fixture at the finals against Croatia on June 10.

Trapattoni said: "With the injuries that we experienced in the squad over the past week, I have had to make a tough decision when it comes to naming the 23 players that must be submitted to UEFA for the championship.

"Kevin Foley, John O'Shea, Paul McShane, Darren O'Dea, Shay Given had all been carrying knocks and we have been monitoring them closely in their recovery."

The Republic play a Tuscan Select XI in a friendly in Pistoia on Tuesday evening on a day when they and the inhabitants of Montecatini, the Italian spa town where they have based themselves for this week's training camp, felt the tremors from this morning's earthquake around 50 miles to the north.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17356/foley_out__mcshane_in_for_irish

Doyle rules out Reading return World Soccer Shop

Kevin Doyle has cooled talk he could rejoin Reading by saying the only contact he has had with the club is to congratulate Brian McDermott.

Doyle: Has dismissed talk of a return to Reading

Doyle, who suffered relegation to the Championship with Wolves this term, was scouted by former Reading chief scout McDermott as a youngster while playing for Cork City.

The Irishman spent four years with the Royals before joining the Midlanders in 2009 and has been linked with a return to the Madejski Stadium this summer following their promotion to the Premier League.

But the 28-year-old has ruled out making a comeback at his old stomping ground and has not spoken to anyone from the club other than to wish manager McDermott luck next year.

"I don't think, personally, you should ever go back. Everyone says it's never the same," he told Sky Sports.

"My four years was brilliant and I wouldn't like to ruin that.

"Not that I've had the option, by the way. I've not spoken to Brian, just to wish him all the best.

"They've had brilliant success the last two years and they've come up this year.

"They've (got) enough strikers and players. Not that they're trying to, but they don't need me to do what they do. They'll be fine and I'm sure they'll do well next year."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16928/doyle_rules_out_reading_return