According to the Independent, Crystal Palace centre-back Damien Delaney has retired from international football, despite denying that he has fallen out with boss Roy Keane. The announcement was made on Delaney’s official Instagram account.
Delaney was absent from the Ireland squad that was announced for the games against Gibraltar and Georgia, and this was when eyebrows were beginning to raise, given the fact that he is one of the very few Irish defenders that play their trade in the English Premier League.
Following his omission from the squad, reports were starting to circulate that this was down to the fact that the former Ipswich defender has fallen out with Keane before.
Back in 2011 in an English courtroom when Delaney was playing under Keane for Ipswich, the defender picked up a speeding fine and blamed his boss, stating that if he was late for training, he would have been fined anyway .
In his statement, Delaney said that the future of Irish football ‘doesn’t lie with him’.
Here’s the full statement:
“Good afternoon… I just want to clarify my position with regards to the Ireland national team and my omission from the current squad.
“I have no issue with Roy Keane and shook his hand this summer at a Cork City European match.
“I know that at the age of 34 the future of Irish football does not lie with me, the rigours of premier league football and the 24/7 dedication required takes its toll so I look on the international break as a chance to recover, that said I spoke to Martin O Neill and contrary to his recent comments I never asked for a regular starting position.
“I did however disagree with certain aspects which out of respect to Martin and the national team will remain private. Ireland need to plan for the long term even if it means sacrificing one maybe two major tournaments.
“We need to build an identity and team ethos from schoolboy football to full international that will last. I understand people weren’t enamoured with Mr. Trapattoni but whether you agreed with his philosophy or not you have to respect the man and the results he achieved with his philosophy.
“There are many footballing philosophies and we need to choose one that suits Irish traits and strengths best, similar to what Wales are now achieving or what Mr. Trapattoni achieved in his time in charge.
“I’ll always be an ardent supporter and wish I could of contributed more… #coybig #identity.”
