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    Ireland International Squad Profile

    As Ireland prepare for another campain ahead, we will bring you player profiles so you can find out more about your favorite Irish players. So in the build-up to each international game, two players will be added for your information to check out. We will start with the current manager and captain who we hopefully lead us to glory in 2012!

    Ireland Results and Fixtures

    Euro 2012 Tables

    Giovanni Trapattoni

    Manager
    Born: 17 March 1939 | Place of Birth: Cusanio, Milan, Italy
     
    Career Summary

    Giovanni TrapattoniGiovanni Trapattoni was born in Cusanio in the province of Milan on 17th March, 1939. He has led teams to national championship successes in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria in the course of distinguished career. He has been described as the most successful coach in world football. He is also the only manager to have won all UEFA club competitions.

    He has played with teams such as AC Milan and Italy and when he moved into the field of club management he enjoyed remarkable success with four of the world's top teams like AC Milan, Juventus, Inter-Milan and Bayern Munich.

    He was a defender and with AC Milan he won two Italian Championship titles, one Italian Cup, two European Cups, one Cup-Winners' Cup and one Intercontinental Super Cup. He played for Italy in 17 top-flight international matches and scored his only goal when he claimed the winner in a 1-0 success over Austria in Vienna in 1963.

    He began his management career with AC Milan's youth squad and then he took over as manager of the Series A team for six matches in 1973/74. Between the seasons 1976-'77 to 1985-'86 he led Juventus to six Italian Championships, two Italian Cups, one European Cup, one Cup-Winners' Cup, one UEFA Cup, one European Super Cup and one Intercontinental Super Cup.

    Trapattoni moved on to Inter-Milan from 1986-'87 to 1990-'91 and he led them to one Championship title and a win in the UEFA Cup. Back with Juventus for the next three seasons, he helped them win the UEFA Cup in 1993. In 1994 he was recruited by Bayern Munich. He spent three seasons with the biggest club in Germany which saw him win one German Championship, one German Cup title and one German Super Cup.

    His unbroken run of victories was momentarily interrupted when he took charge of Cagliari for 21 games in the 1995-'96 season. After a short break from football, he returned in 1988 and took charge of Fiorentina for the next two seasons, leading them into the Champions League competition.

    He was then appointed national coach to Italy's international team on 6th July, 2000, and he helped them qualify for the World Cup finals in South Korea/Japan in 2002 and for the finals of the 2004 European Championship in Portugal. He was then recruited by SL Benfica and immediately he stepped down as national coach to Italy and he led them to their first Portugal Championship title in eleven years.

    A review of such a crowded career illustrates just why Trapattoni has been described as the 'Most Successful Coach' in World football.

    Teams Played With:AC Milan-1959 to 1971
    Varese- 1971 to 1972
    National Team Played with:Italy- 1960 to 1964
    Teams Managed:AC Milan- 1974 to 1976
    Juventus- 1976 to 1986
    Inter-Milan-1986 to 1991
    Juventus-1991 to 1994
    Bayern Munich-1994 to 1995
    Cagliari-1995 to 1996
    Bayern Munich-1996 to 1998
    Fiorentina-1998 to 2000
    Italy-2000 to 2004
    Benfica-2004 to 2005
    VFB Stuttgart-2005 to 2006
    Red Bull Salzburg-2006 to 2008
    Republic of Ireland- 2008

    Robbie Keane

    Striker
    		Robbie Keane scores yet again
    Club: Tottenham Hotspur
    | Born: 8 July 1980
    Total Appearances: 106
    Goals: 44
    First Cap: v Czech Republic 25/03/98
    Most recent: v Andorra 07/09/'10
    Career Summary

    Robbie Keane, captain of Ireland and of Tottenham Hotspur, transferred on loan to Celtic in January 2010 until the end of the 2009/'10 season.

    Keane was a Celtic fan from boyhood and the fact that he was not an automatic first choice for 'Spurs in the 2009/'10 season gave him the opportunity to fulfil a boyhood dream. His arrival in Glasgow was greeted with enthusiasm by Celtic fans.

    Robbie Keane's all-action style for Ireland has complemented the astute leadership of manager Giovanni Trapattoni. Keane has grown into an influential captain as he showed with a typically unselfish performance as Ireland drew 2-2 with World champions Italy to clinch a place in the play-offs for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

    He led by example when Ireland were unlucky to lose the play-off with France and scored a marvellous goal as Ireland played sparkling football in the second leg in Paris.

    Robbie started his career with Crumlin United and played for Wolves, Coventry City, Inter Milan and Leeds United before joining Tottenham Hotspur. In 1998 he helped the Ireland Under-18s to success in the European Championships and the following year he played for the Irish Youths in the World Cup in Nigeria. He won his first Senior cap against the Czech Republic in Olomouc in March '98 and is the most prolific goal scorer in Ireland's history.

    He was appointed captain by Stephen Staunton when he took over as manager in January 2006. Celebrated a great day on November 15, 2006 when he scored his first hat-trick for Ireland in the final international at the old Lansdowne Road Stadium against San Marino. Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed Keane's position as captain of Ireland when he took over as manager. Keane's goal-scoring exploits continued apace and his total currently stands at a marvellous 44. He transferred to Liverpool in the summer of 2008 and returned to 'Spurs six months later, in January 2009.

     

    As Ireland prepare to face Rusisa next in what is a top of a table clash between the two favourites to top the group, here are two more squad members who will be vital in Trap's Army bid to finish the campain in 1st place.

    Shay Given

    Shay Given

    Goalkeeper
    		 
    Club: Manchester City | Born: 20/04/1976
    Senior Internationa appearances: 106
    First Cap: v Russia 27/03/1996
    Most recent Cap: v Andorra 07/09/'10
    Career Summary

    Shay Given shares with Kevin Kilbane the distinction of being Ireland's most capped player. On Wednesday, October 14, against Montenegro at Croke Park he reached a significant landmark by playing in his 100th senior international for Ireland.

    Shay began his career at Celtic before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 1994. However he found it hard to displace Tim Flowers there and as a result he had two loan spells with Swindon and Sunderland before moving to Newcastle United in July 1997.

    Shay, who won his first Senior cap against Russia in March '96, was a consistently outstanding player for Newcastle throughout his time there. He remained typically loyal to Newcastle until the club was relegated from the Premier Division in the 2008/'09 season and Manchester City stepped in with an offer he could not refuse.

    He became Ireland's most capped goalkeeper while at Newcastle, ahead of Packie Bonner, and he has continued to maintain his impressive form for Ireland under a succession of managers.

    Ireland's match against Slovakia on 28/03/07 was a particularly proud occasion for on that day Given captained Ireland and equalled Packie Bonner's record of 80 caps. Shay was transferred to Manchester City in January, 2009 after twelve years at Newcastle.

    Giovanni Trapattoni appointed Given captain to mark his 100th Cap when Ireland played Montenegro in the World Cup qualifier.

     

    Richard Dunne

    Defender
    		Richard Dunne
    Club: Aston Villa | Born: 21 September 1979
    First Cap: Ireland v Greece 26/04/00
    Most recent Cap: v Andorra 07/09/'10
    Total senior internationals: 61.
    Career Summary

    Richard Dunne was once again outstanding when Ireland drew with World Cup holders Italy in the qualifying tie at Croke Park for the 2010 finals in South Africa. His enduring excellence was one of the principal reasons why Ireland faced into the play-offs with confidence and he maintained his high standards in both legs of the play-off with France.

    Richard from Tallaght, Dublin, was transferred from Home Farm to Everton and joined Manchester City in October 2000. Was signed by manager Martin O'Neill for Aston Villa at the start of the 2009/'10 season.

    The year 1998 was a particularly memorable one for him as he won his first B cap against Northern Ireland at Tolka Park in February. That summer he helped the Ireland Under-18s to success in the European Championships and that November he made his Ireland Under-21 debut against Yugoslavia in Snederevo.

    By that stage he had been included in Senior squads and he won his first full cap against Greece in April 2000. Richard has won 61 caps.

    He was made captain of Manchester City in season 2005/'06 and was regularly voted 'Player of the Season' in Manchester. He is a pillar of Ireland's defence and is valued for his leadership qualities as well as his ability to produce a goal when it is most needed.

    A case in point was the critical goal he headed into Bulgaria's net in the World Cup qualifying game in Sofia on June 6th, 2009 - a goal that helped Ireland take a precious point from a difficult tie.

    Dunne ended his nine year spell at Eastlands when he signed for Aston Villa in September 2009.

    Seamus Coleman
    Coleman

    Defender
    		 
    Club: Everton | Born: 11/10/1988
    Total appearances: 1
    First Cap: v Wales 08/02/'11
    Career Summary

    Seamus from neighbouring county Donegal was snapped up by Sligo Rovers' manager Sean Connor from St. Catherine's Killybegs. Impressive form led to former Sligo boss Willie McStay tipping off David Moyes, and Coleman moved to Everton in January 2009. He went on loan to Blackpool, helping them to clinch promotion to the Premier League in the play-off final. The FAI U21 Player of the Year signed a new four year deal with Everton and has impressed since his return to the Toffees. He has been a regular in Everton's Premier League team playing on the right of midfield in the 2010/'11 season. His consistent form earned him a first international appearance for Ireland when they beat Wales 3-0 in the inaugural Carling Nations' Cup tie at the Aviva Stadium in February 2011.

    Damien Duff
    Duff

    Midfielder
    		 
    Club: Fulham | Born: 2 March 1979
    Total appearances: 87.
    First Cap: Ireland v Czech Republic 25/03/98
    Most recent: v Macedonia 26/03/'11 
    Career Summary

    Damien played with St. Kevin's, Lourdes and Leicester Celtic before joining Blackburn in March 1996. His amazing talent soon lit up the Premiership scene in England and in July 2003, Chelsea paid  million euro for his services.

    He continued to blossom when Jose Mourinho joined Chelsea for the 2004/'05 season and played a major role in their relentless march to the Premiership title in the manager's first season and when they retained their title in 2005/06. It came as a surprise when Chelsea agreed to transfer him to Newcastle United at the beginning of the 2006/'07 season.

    Damien, who won his first full cap against the Czech Republic in March '98, had helped Ireland Youths to finish third in the World Cup in Malaysia in 1997.

    Was unfortunate to miss the vital World Cup qualifying match against Switzerland in October, 2005, when a draw meant elimination from the competition of 2006. He played brilliantly in the European Championship qualifying ties in 2007 until injury again interrupted his season. He was injured against Slovakia in March, 2007 and made a welcome return against Brazil in February, 2008.

    He played against Serbia in Giovanni Trapattoni's first match but illness kept him out of the game against Colombia in May, 2008.

    Following relegation to the Championship with Newcastle United, Duff returned to the Premier League with Fulham when Roy Hodgson brought the midfielder to Craven Cottage. Continued to play consistently well with Ireland throughout the 2010 World Cup qualifying tournament and had what many regarded as his best match for Ireland when they played France in the play-off in Paris on 18/11/'09.

    Showed he had lost none of his skill or elusiveness as he sparkled and scored when Ireland beat Wales 3-0 in the inaugural tie of the Carling Nations' Cup on 08/02/'11 at the Aviva Stadium and was in brilliant form against Macedonia on March 26, 2011.

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