Kavanagh to fill midfield void for Republic
08/10/2005 - 17:19:44Under-pressure Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr was forced into making a number of changes for his side’s critical World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia.
With the inspirational Roy Keane out of the group four game at the GSP Stadium, as well as Wednesday’s Lansdowne Road showdown against Switzerland with a broken bone in his left foot, Kerr turned to Wigan’s Graham Kavanagh to fill the midfield void.
Kerr was also without Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and Tottenham winger Andy Reid through suspension, so handing a fifth cap to 21-year-old Sunderland forward Stephen Elliott, while Liverpool’s Steve Finnan took over on the right wing.
Ireland went into the game knowing they had to beat the Cypriots to give themselves a shot at finishing in the top two.
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