By Dermot Clarke
Niall Quinn and Robbie Keane are to spearhead the Irish attack in this evening’s European Championship qualifier against Malta. Both players, it seems, are relishing the prospect of playing together in a competitive game for the first time, having worn the green together just once before in the pre-World Cup friendly against Argentina, a game in which the young Wolves star, Keane, endeared himself to the public with a display of carefree confidence.
The three changes to the team that beat Croatia are of an injury enforced nature, with Quinn, Gary Breen and Jeff Kenna replacing the laid up Keith O’Neill, Phil Babb and Dennis Irwin respectively.
Irish team: S. Given (Newcastle): J. Kenna (Blackburn), K. Cunningham (Wimbledon), G. Breen (Coventry),J. Mc Ateer (Liverpool), S. Staunton (Liverpool), Roy Keane, (Man Utd.) Capt, M. Kinsella (Charlton), D. Duff (Blackburn), Robbie Keane (Wolves), N. Quinn (Sunderland). Subs. TBA.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m., Irish time.
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