My Squad

The most important thing in any squad for a manager is to give himself options. There will probably come a stage in all the matches that Ireland play this summer when they may have to either chase a game or protect a lead and you have to have the flexibility to do that, writes Mark Lawrenson.

My Squad

Mark Lawrenson

There won't be any arguments about the three goalkeepers, but in the defenders I have chosen, I have opted for Richard Dunne and Andy O'Brien over Gary Breen. Although he doesn't give the impression, Dunne is really quick over 10 to 15 yards, a fact confirmed by two of his former managers, Joe Royle and Kevin Keegan.

In an emergency, Dunne could play right back, which he has done at club level, or on the right of a three-man central defence. O'Brien has really matured in the Premiership this season, while Breen has stagnated somewhat at Coventry. Breen played quite a few qualifiers, but I think there is a mistake in him in every game and that would worry me at a World Cup.

Ian Harte has no competition at left back, which is a slight concern, with only Steve Staunton as recognised cover. Steve Finnan is such a good footballer that he could play there. In midfield, I have added Lee Carsley and Rory Delap to the usual suspects. If Roy Keane was injured, then we would need another holding midfielder.

There is a footballer in Delap waiting to get out and his versatility earns him one of the midfield slots. Colin Healy and Stephen Reid are definitely good young players for the future. Up front, I have opted for Gary Doherty over David Connolly. Ireland will need a target man at some stage and given Niall Quinn's dodgy back, Doherty provides more options than Connolly.

MARK LAWRENSON'S SQUAD.

Goalkeepers: Given, A Kelly, Kiely.

Defenders: Finnan, Staunton, Cunningham, Harte, Dunne, G Kelly, O'Brien.

Midfielders: McAteer, Kinsella, Roy Keane, Holland, Carsley, Kilbane, Kennedy, Delap.

Strikers: Quinn, Robbie Keane, Duff, Morrison, Doherty.

Tom Humphries

One of the most admirable things about Mick McCarthy as a man and a manager is his loyalty. One of the most despicable things about me is my complete lack of same. I make a rat look steadfast. I don't care who got us to the World Cup. For some of those guys, it's thank you and goodbye.

Now. Goalies. They pick themselves. Number One. Shay Given. Dean Kiely and Alan Kelly on backing vocals. Nicky Colgan keep a passport handy.

Of right full backs, we have two. Steve Finnan plays. Gary Kelly waits. Of left backs we have just one. Ian Harte

We'll need cover from among the centre halves. Nice guys but you could time a sprint race between them with a sundial. So Phil Babb, c'mon down. He's got speed, World Cup experience, a renewed appetite. Played the last 35 games for a Sporting Lisbon side on the verge of winning the Portuguese league. Can play left full back. The others? Steve Staunton and Kenny Cunningham. Part of the personality of the squad and they can both play full back. Andy O'Brien. Smart footballer with rising stock . That leaves Gary Breen, Gary Doherty and Richard Dunne looking for the last spot. I like Doherty's versatility and appreciate that Richard Dunne never put a foot wrong for us in the green jersey, but in the humidity and heat, I like Gary Breen.

Centre of midfield? Roy Keane, I say, sticking my neck out. Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland, too. Lee Carsley is a different type of player to Colin Healy, more in line with what we have already. I'd pick Healy for his energy, skill and the future. Damien Duff travels on a striker's visa, so Kevin Kilbane claims the left. The right side of midfield belongs to Jason McAteer. The understudy position is between Mark Kennedy and Steven Reid (and Gary Kelly is there, too). Without ever coming near the bonnet of my car, Kennedy has disappointed me many times. Reid is the future. A powerful shot, a good passer, an athlete, can play on either side.

Up front. Duff and Robbie Keane. Both look better than ever. And St Niall to give us variety. Clinton Morrison because he's got the knack.

That leaves us with the luxury of one last wild-card place. David Connolly? Rory Delap? Gary Doherty? Lee Carsley? Robbie Ryan? John O'Shea?

Well because in the event of an injury calamity he could nuzzle in up front, because when he is at his cocky best he is irrestistible, because he's just had a fine season, I give the last seat on the plane to Kennedy, trusting that his immense gratitude will be repaid on and off the field.

TOM HUMPHRIES' SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Given, Kiely, A Kelly.

Defenders: G Kelly, Finnan, Harte, Staunton, Cunningham, Breen, O'Brien, Babb.

Midfielders: Roy Keane, Healy, Kinsella, Holland, McAteer, Reid, Kilbane, Kennedy.

Strikers: Duff, Robbie Keane, Quinn, Morrisson.

Mary Hannigan

Name your 23? Easy enough, until you get down to those final three or four places. Four central defenders or five? Trusty veterans or promising novices? Loyalty or pragmatism? Pass the Solpadeine. Eight (Dunne, O'Brien, Doherty, Healy, Reid, Kennedy, Carsley and Delap) in to four just won't go, no matter how hard you push.

O'Brien has had a fine season with Newcastle but is still a relative stranger to the company of Staunton, Cunningham and Breen in defence, having received few international chances. Dunne, then, despite continual worries about his fitness, would seem a better option - his selection would also be reward for those excellent early performances in the qualifiers.

Doherty over O'Brien? Barring a major defensive injury crisis neither player would start in Japan so the added option (of the emergency kind) that Doherty offers up front, one that might yet be needed if Quinn continues to struggle with injuries and if Duff is preferred on the left wing, would make him the more useful squad member.

Healy over Carsley? True, the Cork man is an apprentice at this level but he looked impressively comfortable in his three senior appearances so far, during which he showed plenty of glimpses of his potential and proved that, in the creativity stakes at least, he's well ahead of Carsley. Stephen Reid impressed, too, but Mark Kennedy has rediscovered some of his old form at Wolves this season and, assuming he recovers from his groin injury, should get the vote. Too late for Delap.

MARY HANNIGAN'S SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Given, Kiely, A Kelly.

Defenders: Staunton, Cunningham, Dunne, Breen, G Kelly, Harte, Finnan, Doherty.

Midfielders: Roy Keane, Holland, Kinsella, Healy, Kennedy, Kilbane, McAteer.

Forwards: Quinn, Robbie Keane, Morrison, Connolly, Duff.