Are Irish Eyes Smiling On The Blues?

It was interesting to read that both Daryl Murphy AND David McGoldrick have been named in the provisional Irish squad for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland and also a friendly against England in June.

David McGoldrick is the surprise selection here because he has still not kicked a ball in earnest for the blues this year and yet here he is back with the Irish after so many months out.

We know he is nearing fitness so the question I guess is whether (if we are trailing with 20 minutes to go against our fiercest rivals) Mick McCarthy would risk throwing him into the fray?

The answer to that might be how far we are behind? If we are losing 4-1 then probably not but if the scores are close and we are behind by just the odd goal then I think he might put him on.

Let’s face it, no matter how good Freddie Sears has been, we have missed the quality that McGoldrick represents. He has wonderful close control and a great vision and this is something that we have lacked of late more than anything I believe.

The other Irish striker who has been out of the picture for quite some time is Noel Hunt, who I regard as our talisman after that last ditch goal against Charlton which got us to here in the first place! If timing was everything then this was it!

I do hope if we are struggling against Norwich he considers bringing him on as well. He has made a staggering recovery from that terrible knee ligament injury and deserves to play some part in this battle royal at Carrow Road in my opinion.

The absence of Luke Varney could in fact be a blessing in disguise. Town have two Irish strikers waiting in the wings who have the potential to turn this game on its head and here could be the ace up the managers sleeve!

Of course our manager is not talking much about those two and why should he alert the opposition to their involvement now that both Woods and Varney are out of commission but I am sure we have not heard the last of them before the season’s completion.

The match fitness factor suggests that neither would probably start but we all know that this would not phase Noel Hunt. He can come on and score crucial goals at the least likeliest of times and the stage might be set for another memorable moment!

And as for the Irish, then we of course have Stephen Hunt too! He found the bench at Portman Road but his services were not called upon but if we are chasing the game then there is every chance he will get some game time as well I would suspect. He may even get a start because he energizes the team with his all-action style.

With the match very much in the balance as we approach round two, the question is, will the luck of the Irish help us through?


F.W.