Ireland squad back Stephen
Ireland defender Richard Dunne insists Stephen Ireland has the full support of the squad, following his latest unexpected withdrawal.
Manchester City midfielder Ireland yesterday revealed he would not be joining with his international team-mates for the Euro 2008 qualifying double-header against Germany and Cyprus in Dublin.
In a brief statement, Ireland said: “I have thought long and hard about whether I would do my country and myself justice if I joined up with the squad.
“Unfortunately, I don’t believe I would on this occasion.”
Ireland controversially withdrew from the squad for the matches against Slovakia and the Czech Republic last month.
Initially he cited the death of one grandmother, then a second – only to later concede he had lied both times.
It subsequently emerged he opted to remain at his Manchester home to be with his girlfriend, who had suffered a miscarriage.
With these next two matches falling so swiftly after the previous ones, Ireland apparently feels 10 days away from home is not in his or his family’s best interests.
However, it is understood that privately he is concerned about the negativity there may be in light of this latest withdrawal.
Dunne, his club captain at City, has swiftly moved to reassure the 21-year-old no one thinks any ill of him.
“It’s difficult for Stephen if he is having issues or problems,” insisted Dunne.
“Within himself, he needs to make sure he is happy and completely committed and ready to play for Ireland before he can be away from home for 10 days.
“When he is playing for his club he is at home every single day, and that is the difference.
“He spends his nights at home, so he probably feels at the moment he can’t afford to be away from his girlfriend and his kids for 10 days.
“He feels it would be more beneficial to him and them to spend the time with them.”
Dunne is hoping the general public will understand what Ireland is going through, adding: “There’s no reaction from within the squad, with anybody thinking any less of him.
“As far as the squad is concerned, we seem to have a clear idea of what Stephen is going through.
“His girlfriend had a miscarriage, and everyone knows how serious that is.
“We all have sympathy with him. We’re not going to take the mickey or anything like that, and I’m sure the public appreciate that as well.
“If Stephen is not right, then people have to respect that and give him time.
“We just want to make sure that when he does come back he is made welcome. Everyone is looking forward to playing with him again.”
Manager Steve Staunton refuses to be drawn on the matter, and will certainly not be making the furore surrounding Ireland an excuse.
“That’s gone. That’s yesterday’s news. We’ve 24 bodies here we have to look after now,” he said.
“We wish Stevie well, and we hope he makes a quick and speedy recovery and sorts himself out. That’s the end of it.”
Dunne recognises the Republic need a miracle to qualify, following the results last month, but that does not mean there will be any let-up against the unbeaten Germans.
“We’ve probably realised ourselves that almost certainly we won’t qualify,” conceded centre-back Dunne.
“In terms of the motivational aspect, it’s a game in front of 70,000 people - so you make sure you give everything, because it’s a chance to beat Germany.
“That will be a big boost for us and Stephen (Staunton) ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
“But they are brilliant. They’re probably the team in Europe in the best form at the moment.
“Even so it’s a game we believe we can win – and when it’s a game of this size, the crowd are always excellent and give us an extra lift.”
