The game will be played at 1pm Irish time (5pm local) on Thursday 19th January, in the Al-Seeb Stadium, Muscat, Oman.
Ireland’s Manager Capt Ian Snee announced three changes to his first team that played against Mali on Tuesday. Pte Keith Duffy, 28 Inf Bn (Ballina Town) is being rested with Pte Shane Dempsey, 3 Inf Bn (Wexford Youths) making his first start having impressed coming on as a sub against Mali. The other changes are Tpr Chris Kenny, 1 ACS (Sligo Rovers) being rested with CISM debutant Pte Jody Dillon, 1 MIC (Portlaoise AFC) going up front as the lone striker with fresh legs. And finally, Cpl Michael O’Shea, 1 Bde MP Coy (Cobh Wanderers), who policed the midfield on Tuesday being rested for Pte Sean Gannon, 7 Inf Bn (Dublin Central FC), who makes his second appearance of the tournament.
In his team meeting on Wednesday 18th January Capt Ian Snee debriefed the soldiers on their previous match and saying, “We are very proud of you, you gave it your all against Mali.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game he asked if they ever heard of Qatar as an International footballing nation, or new where they were ranked in the FIFA world standings? He got no replies. “Qatar have professional players, some are quite amazing at times. no one’s ever heard of them on the international stage, they are middle of the road.” He used the Attitude – Discipline - Concentration to get his points on game play across. He finished, “Man-to-man you have got to believe you are better than them.”
Team Coach Cpl Thomas Hewitt, 2 Bde Ord, told them to think back to the UEFA EURO Qualifiers game: Ireland Vs Germany in October 2015. With underdogs Ireland winning 1-0l having only had limited percent of possession. He told them to use that game for motivation of their belief that they are good enough to go out there and compete.
The CISM Tournament will be broadcasted live on Oman Live and Oman Sport TV Channels, and the tournament has its own dedicated website: http://cismoman2017.om
Team Selection 19th January 2017
1. Cpl Darren Kelly, 2 Bde MP Coy (Cherry Orchard FC)
2. Pte Sean Guerins, 12 Inf Bn (BT Harps)
3. Pte Ricky Fox, 3 Inf Bn (Shamrock Rovers)
4. Pte Mark Horgan, 1 Bde CIS Coy (Avondale)
7. Pte Sean Gannon, 7 Inf Bn (Dublin Central FC)
11. Armn Aidan Friel, No 1 Ops Wing (Longford Town)
13. Pte Craig Shortt, 1 Inf Bn (Birr Town)
6. Pte Shane Dempsey, 3 Inf Bn (Wexford Youths)
20. Gnr David Stack, 1 Bde Arty Regt (Cobh Wanderers)
8. Pte Craig Wall, 3 Inf Bn (Freebooters)
9. Pte Jody Dillon, 1 Mech Inf Coy (Portlaoise AFC)
Subs:
5. Tpr Christopher Kenny, 1 Armd Car Sqn (Sligo Rovers)
10. Cpl Michael O’Shea, 1 Bde MP Coy (Cobh Wanderers)
12. Gnr Ross MacCarthy, 1 Bde Arty Regt (Youghal United)
14. Lt Richard Barber, 27 Inf Bn (St James Gate)
15. Pte Keith Duffy, 28 Inf Bn (Ballina Town)
16. Pte Stephen Whelan, 7 Inf Bn (St Paul’s Artane)
17. Pte Derek Walsh, 7 Inf Bn (Usher Celtic)
18. Cpl David Sweeney, 1 Bde Tpt Coy (Ballincollig FC)
19. Pte Ian Lordan, 12 Inf Bn (Greenwood FC)
23. Lt Kenneth Deegan, Tpt Gp/Sch (Newbridge Town)