Graham Kavanagh, one of the outstanding contributors to the Republic of Ireland's win over Sweden in the international friendly last month, is not among the 23man squad from which Mick McCarthy will name his teams for the forthcoming friendly against Northern Ireland (May 28th) and Euro 2000 qualifiers against Yugoslavia (June 5th) and Macedonia (June 9th.
Thirteen months after winning his first cap as a substitute in the Czech Republic, the Stoke City midfielder marked his introduction as a half-time replacement for Mark Kinsella with an impressive goal against the Swedes.
On the strength of that achievement he may have had reasonable expectations of receiving another call-up for a crucial segment of Ireland's European championship qualifying programme.
In fact, he was prepared, if asked to do so, to defer his marriage to Rosemary O'Brien, a sister of Tranmere and former Republic of Ireland player Liam O'Brien, in Ringsend on June 4th, the day before the Yugoslav game.
McCarthy took that decision out of his hands by informing him before the squad was announced yesterday that he would not be required on this occasion.
"If I invited him over for these games it would purely be as cover and given the fact that all the arrangements for his wedding are in place, I would not do that to him," McCarthy said.
"I thought he had a smashing game when he came on against Sweden. He was comfortable on the ball and he took his chance brilliantly for the first goal.
"There will be other opportunities in the future but on this occasion, with so much at stake, experience will be all important".
Kavanagh, who played with Mark Kinsella and Gary Kelly at Home Farm before beginning his career in England with Middlesbrough, accepted the decision philosophically.
"Getting on against Sweden and then scoring was the highlight of my career and to that extent I'm disappointed," he said. "The good thing is that I don't have to change my wedding plans and will now be able to go on honeymoon to Mexico on June 5th."
With Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, Ian Harte and Keith O'Neill returning to the squad, McCarthy should have all his big-name players available for the substantial challenge of reversing the 1-0 defeat by Yugoslavia in Belgrade last November.
Because of Manchester United's meeting with Bayern Munich in the European Champions League final at Barcelona on May 26th, neither Keane or Irwin will be required to join the squad until after the Northern Ireland game.
Keane, of course, will not be involved in the game against Bayern because of suspension, but in deference to the player's wishes, he is being allowed to accompany United's squad to Spain. The remainder of the Irish players are due to report in Dublin on May 23rd.
Harte's recall, after being ruled out of the Swedish assignment because of injury, sets up a difficult choice for McCarthy who must decide between the in-form Leeds player and incumbent Steve Staunton for the left back position.
That judgment is not likely to made until hours before the Yugoslav game, but elsewhere it seems the manager will not be detained unduly when he comes to selecting his side.
Mark Kennedy, who scored the second goal against Sweden, will be pleased to learn that he did enough to warrant retention, if only as cover. There is also recognition for Dean Kiely of Bury, the only uncapped player in the squad, who will provide back-up in goal for Shay Given and Alan Kelly.
Andy O'Brien's nomination in the under-21 squad, and his probable inclusion in the team to face Yugoslavia, means that the Bradford player, who previously represented England at under-18 and under-21 levels, will have committed himself to Ireland if he plays in his first competitive game at this level.
Another feature of Ian Evans' squad is the inclusion of Southend striker Barry Conlon, who is available for selection again after serving a three-match international suspension.
Under-21 Squad: A O'Reilly (West Ham), D O'Connor (Bradford Park Ave), C Hawkins (St Patrick's), A Maybury (Leeds Utd), R Ryan (Millall), D Boxall (Brentford), D Worrell (Dundee Utd), B Quinn (Coventry City), B Ferguson (Coventry City), A O'Brien (Bradford), A Ma- hon (Tranmere), N Inman (Peterborough), D Clare (Grimsby), N Fenn (Tottenham), S McPhail (Leeds Utd), A Lee (Aston Villa), M McKeever (Sheffield Wed), A Folan (Brentford), S McClare (Barnsley), B Conlon (Southend Utd). Stand-By: T Morgan (St Patrick's), B Barry-Murphy (Cork City), S Grant (Stockport County), P Armstrong (Brighton).
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