Irish look to new generation after World Cup heartbreak

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DUBLIN, Feb 22, 2010 (AFP) - Ireland have named three uncapped players in their squad for next week's friendly against Brazil, including Scots-born Wigan midfielder James McCarthy.

McCarthy, who last month turned down the chance to pledge his allegiance to the country of his birth, joins another 19-year-old, Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham, and Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson in the 23-man squad for the friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London.

It will be Ireland's first outing since Thierry Henry's infamous handball contributed to their defeat in a World Cup play-off against France.

Notable absentees include Manchester United defender John O'Shea, who is still suffering from a leg injury he sustained against France, Celtic defender Darren O'Dea and Hibernian duo Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes.

Ireland's head coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, said he was looking forward to putting the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup behind him and his squad.

"The priority now is to build on the progress made during the last campaign and prepare ourselves over the coming months mentally and tactically for an important Euro campaign," the veteran Italian said.

Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Manchester City/ENG), Keiren Westwood (Coventry/ENG), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe/ENG)

Defenders: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa/ENG), Stephen Kelly (Fulham/ENG), Kevin Kilbane (Hull/ENG), Kevin Foley (Wolves/ENG), Sean St Ledger (Preston/ENG), Paul McShane (Hull/ENG), Marc Wilson (Portsmouth/ENG), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City/ENG)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Celtic/SCO), Damien Duff (Fulham/ENG), Darron Gibson (Manchester United/ENG), Glenn Whelan (Stoke/ENG), Keith Andrews (Blackburn/ENG), Stephen Hunt (Hull/ENG), Liam Lawrence (Stoke/ENG), James McCarthy (Wigan/ENG)

Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Wolves/ENG), Robbie Keane (Tottenham/ENG), Shane Long (Reading/ENG), Leon Best (Newcastle/ENG)