Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood in Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016

Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood has been named in the Republic of Ireland's 23-man squad for this summer's European Championships in France.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st May 2016, 23:48 BST
Updated 1st Jun 2016, 00:28 BST
Keiren Westwood is heading to Euro 2016 with the Republic of IrelandKeiren Westwood is heading to Euro 2016 with the Republic of Ireland
Keiren Westwood is heading to Euro 2016 with the Republic of Ireland

The Owls stopper is among three keepers named in coach Martin O'Neill's panel with West Ham's Darren Randolph and veteran Shay Given, now at Stoke City also included. Millwall's David Forde is the man to miss out from the initial squad. Given became the Republic of Ireland's longest serving player earlier in the day having stretched his international career to 20 years and 65 days in the side's 2-1 defeat to Belarus in Cork.

Westwood, who hadn't been in the team for the recent friendlies due to his extended involvement in club matters with Wednesday, has been on the fringes of the Republic of Ireland squads ever since O'Neill took charge two-and-a-half years ago and his last appearance came almost a year ago in the 0-0 friendly draw with England in Dublin.

Aiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield WednesdayAiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday
Aiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday
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The 31 one year old from Manchester, who incidentally has been assigned the 'number one' jersey told The Star following a superb performance in Wednesday 1-0 Championship Play-Off Final defeat to Hull City that he was unsure if he would gain a place in the final squad, saying: "Hopefully I will be in the squad. You will have to ask Martin O’Neill who his number one is. I honestly don’t know if the final will have helped my cause. It is a question for the manager.”

Also included and perhaps more surprisingly is Aiden McGeady. The winger spent the final few months of last season on loan at Hillsborough, but having been forzen out at parent club Everton, struggled to regain match sharpness. McGeady made 14 appearances for the Owls, scoring one goal, but he was left out of both play-off semi-finals against Brighton and the decider at Wembley in what was ultimately a disappointing spell in Sheffield.

Finalised Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham), Shay Given (Stoke), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)

Aiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield WednesdayAiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday
Aiden McGeady, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, in action during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Derby), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Richard Keogh (Derby), Shane Duffy (Blackburn), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Ward (Burnley)

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Midfielders: James McClean (West Brom), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), David Meyler (Hull City), Robbie Brady (Norwich), Aiden McGeady (Everton)

Forwards: Jon Walters (Stoke), Shane Long (Southampton), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich)

Related topics:Keiren WestwoodRepublic of IrelandAiden McGeadySheffield WednesdayFranceEverton