Foran and Reid make international debuts

Shelbourne's Richie Foran and Millwall's Stephen Reid will make their Republic of Ireland Under-21 debuts in today's European…

Shelbourne's Richie Foran and Millwall's Stephen Reid will make their Republic of Ireland Under-21 debuts in today's European Championships qualifying game against Cyprus in Larnaca.

London-born Reid, who qualifies for the Republic through Irish grandparents, received his passport only last Friday before joining up with the squad. It is also a boost for striker Foran after the collapse of his proposed move to Queens Park Rangers when the two clubs failed to agree a fee. It is believed Rangers valued Foran at around £150,000.

Middlesbrough's Jason Gavin switches to right-back to enable Newcastle's Andy O'Brien to partner Manchester United's John O'Shea, currently on loan to Royal Antwerp, in the middle of the back four.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Murphy (Tranmere), Gavin (Middlesbrough), O'Brien (Newcastle), O'Shea (Royal Antwerp), Clarke (Stoke), Healy (Celtic), O'Connor (Stoke), Reid (Millwall), B Quinn (Coventry, captain), Foran (Shelbourne), Reddy (Swindon). Sub- stitutes: Delaney (Port Vale), Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Foy (Nottingham Forest), McGrath (Aston Villa), A Quinn (Sheff Wed), George (Luton), Byrne (West Ham).

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Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times