By Ade O'Connor
April 18 2003

Irish manager Brian Kerr has found place in his squad for the friendly against Norway, for Bohemians striker Glen Crowe. The League of Ireland player trains with the Ireland set-up for the second time, following his outing against Greece. Kerr once again selects the Eircom League 3 time top scorer. The 25-year-old forward will look to enhance his reputation in England, after having spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Exeter. Crowe had suffered injury problems during the Christmas period, but is now back to full fitness after the knee injury lay-off.

Elsewhere in the squad, Brian Kerr finds place for Alan Quinn of Sheffield Wednesday, following his call up to the qualifying squads. Alan Lee also has another chance to prove his talents to the Ireland staff, as the Rotherham striker is given the nod once more.

The remainder of the squad is largely experienced, Kerr declining the chance for widespread experimentation, in favour of continuity. It will be the first home game in charge for the man who took over the reigns from Mick McCarthy; a winning start at Lansdowne Road would be favourable.

Unavailable for selection are the trio of Steven Reid (Millwall), Clinton Morrison (Birmingham City) and Jason McAteer (Sunderland). However, the Republic can welcome back Gary Kelly and Ian Harte of Leeds United and Steven Finnan of Fulham.

Though surely Kerr must expect players to pull out in drones, as the Premiership season closes, top managers will be anxious over the fitness of key players. This means that players who miss out initially, may earn their opportunity to impress in the end,

Brian Kerr remains under no illusions that the Norwegians will prove stiff opposition, with stars such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Manchester United and Tore Andre Flo of Sunderland leading the line.

Kerr commented, “Norway have started very well in the Group Two Qualifiers, heading the group above Denmark. They have players who are familiar to us from British football like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United) as well as John Carew of Valencia. They will provide a stiff test for us but with it being my first home game I will be hoping for a good performance and a win.”

No doubt that Ireland will see the international friendly as a good stage to test new theories ahead of the trio of vital home games lining the road to Portugal, the hosts of the European Championships in 2004.

"It is a great game for us to have in the build-up to those vital home games in June. I hope we will have a big crowd at the game to really get behind the team after three successive away games without defeat."


The Republic of Ireland squad to play Norway in a friendly match on Wednesday 30th of April, at Lansdowne Road:

Goalkeepers:

Colgan (Hibernian)
Given (Newcastle United)
Kiely (Charlton Athletic)

Defenders:

Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Harte (Leeds United)
O'Shea (Manchester United)
O'Brien (Newcastle United)
Breen (West Ham United)
Cunningham (Birmingham City)
Kelly (Leeds United)
Finnan (Fulham)

Midfielders:

Carsley (Everton)
Healy (Celtic)
Holland (Ipswich Town)
Kinsella (Aston Villa)
Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday)
Kilbane (Sunderland)
McPhail (Leeds United)
Duff (Blackburn Rovers)

Strikers:

Crowe (Bohemians)
Connolly (Wimbledon)
Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
Lee (Rotherham)
Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)