Norris Not Picked For Ireland

Plymouth Argyle midfielder David Norris has missed out on being called up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

Ireland manager Steve Staunton has announced his 23-man squad for the friendly against Denmark on August 22nd and Norris has not been named in that squad.

Staunton contacted Norris in May and asked if he would like to play for Ireland and the midfielder confirmed that he would love to play international football.

Norris was born in Stamford, Cambridgeshire, but qualifies for Ireland because his mother Teresa’s family all come from County Kildare.

The game against Denmark is seen as a warm-up for the two Euro 2008 qualifiers in September, away to Slovakia and the Czech Republic. There is an outside chance that Norris could yet be called up to play in those games.

After picking his squad Staunton said: ‘I’m sure there are a few players out there disappointed not to be in squad. But that’s not to say the same players will be in the squad for the qualifiers in September. We’ll keep an open mind on that. We’re starting to see good competition for places in the squad.’

After sounding out Norris about a first call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad it seems hard to believe that Staunton has now over-looked the 26-year old midfielder.
One answer could be that the necessary paperwork to allow Norris to play would not have been completed in time for the Denmark game.

Republic of Ireland squad: Colgan (Barnsley), Doyle (Birmingham), Henderson (Preston), Carr (Newcastle Utd), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), McShane (Sunderland), O’Shea (Manchester Utd), Douglas (Leeds), Hunt (Reading), Ireland (Manchester City), Kilbane (Wigan), McGeady (Celtic), A O’Brien (Hibernian), Potter (Wolves), A Reid (Charlton), Doyle (Reading), Elliott (Sunderland), Keane (Tottenham), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland)