[caption id="attachment_67151" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Ireland goalie Shay Given is interviewed after squad training Tuesday in Malahide, Co. Dublin."]
The Republic of Ireland will play their first-ever senior international in the tiny state of Andorra on Friday. We have played Andorra on three previous occasions, twice in Dublin and once in Barcelona. It was hoped that Friday's game would also be staged in Barcelona, but UEFA refused a request from the Andorra FA to move the game to Barcelona as Russia and Slovakia had already travelled to Estati Comunal for their games against Andorra. Irish captain Robbie Keane has been excused from club duty by LA Galaxy and will linked up with the squad in Dublin for the trip to Andorra and next Tuesday's home game against Armenia.
Keane's striking partner will be either Shane Long or Kevin Doyle who signed a new contract with Wolves last week that will keep him at the club until 2015. Richard Dunne, our hero in the 0-0 draw in Moscow last month, misses the trip to Andorra through suspension, but he will be available for the game against Armenia at the Aviva. Andorra has lost all eight of their games in the group and scored only one goal; that was against the Republic in the Aviva last September.
Under the old system countries tended to boost their goal difference with big wins over the minnows, but now UEFA rules state that if countries finish level on points they then take into account the head to head meetings rather than goal difference. We should win easily in Andorra, but it might not be as easy next Tuesday against Armenia, who have now moved into third place in the group on goal difference. With only two games to play Russia top of the table with 17 points, the Republic are second with 15 points with Armenia and Slovakia both on 14 points. Also on Friday Armenia are home to Macedonia and Slovakia play Russia in Zilina; a home win there would really suit the Irish, as we could then qualify automatically, provided we get six points from our two games. Russia's last game on Tuesday is against Andorra in Moscow. But at least we should get a play-off, thanks mainly to that backs-to-the-wall performance against Russia in Moscow last month.
FITZGERALD HEADED HOME
After months of speculation it now almost certain that Davy Fitzgerald will be the next Clare senior hurling manager. At the Clare County Board meeting in Ennis last week the former Waterford manager was the only nominee to fill the role vacated by Ger "Sparrow" O'Loughlin in July. Now Fitzgerald and his backroom team will now be invited to attend the next Clare County Board meeting on Oct. 11 where his appointment should be ratified. He could also be back in goal for his club Sixmilebridge on Sunday next for their Clare championship semifinal against Cratloe.
Meanwhile former Cork star Teddy McCarthy is set to become the new Laois senior hurling manager. McCarthy, the only player in GAA history to win All-Ireland hurling and football medals in the same year on the field of play, has been a Cork under 21 selector and will see the Bandon side he has managed compete in the Cork Intermediate final on Sunday next.
HOLDERS TO PLAY GYPSIES
FAI Cup holders Sligo Rovers have been paired with Bohemians in the FAI Ford Cup semifinal. Sligo, who knocked out Shamrock Rovers at the quarterfinal stage, should be too strong for the cash-strapped Gypsies, even at Dalymount Park. In the other semifinal St Patrick's Athletic will be away to the winners of the re-arranged Shelbourne/Limerick quarterfinal.
HARTE PRAISES
RETIRING SKIPPER
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has paid tribute to his former captain Brian Dooher, who has announced his retirement from intercounty football at the age of 36. Harte said: ''Brian was a one-off player that comes along every so often. He was unequalled, unrivalled and was a great leader. He had so many skills and was fantastic at communicating with players. Brian was also great liaising with the county board and was held in such high esteem that he commanded respect from everybody. He was a man who grew in stature as he matured.'' Dooher, who has been struggling with injuries in recent years, made his senior championship debut against Kildare in 1995 and his last game for the Red Hand was against Dublin in this year's All-Ireland quarterfinal. Following the death of Cormac McAnallen in 2004, Dooher took over as team captain and lifted the Sam Maguire Cup in 2005 and 2008.
Also quitting the intercounty scene are Waterford hurling goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy and Déise defender Eoin Murphy.
BROGAN BOUND
FOR AUSTRALIA
Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan plans to spend the winter in Australia after helping Dublin to All-Ireland glory. The 2010 Footballer of the Year believes now is as good a time as any to see a bit of the world after Dublin finally got their hands on Sam. And Dublin's media-shy goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is hoping to overcome his fear of flying and travel to Australia with the Irish International Rules team later this month. Cluxton has played for Ireland in the home games against the Aussies, but he has never travelled to Australia.
UNITED'S NO. 3 (1968)
JERSEY UP FOR SALE
Former Republic of Ireland defender Tony Dunne is the latest soccer player to put his collection of memorabilia up for sale. The long-time Manchester United left-back, who began his career in 1958 with Shelbourne and ended it with NASL team Detroit Express in 1979 after a few years with Bolton, will auction his caps and jersey at Bonham's of Chester today. Among the items on offer will be Dunne's jersey from the 1968 European Cup win over Benfica. The 70-year-old Dubliner, who played more than 400 league games for United, said he hopes to raise around £80,000 for his family.
