Dane Massey
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has suggested that he will run the rule over Dundalk FC left back Dane Massey in the coming weeks.
The 26-year-old has been one of the Lilywhites’ outstanding performers this season, leading to calls from RTÉ pundit Stuey Byrne for him to be included in an international squad.
Byrne commented after Ireland’s draw with Poland last month that the left back area was an issue and said: “Looking at Ward as a left full-back, if that is the bar that has been set it got me thinking and there isn’t that many out-and-out specialist left-fulls who are really good defenders. The player that came into my head was Dane Massey. For this particular game, it wasn’t the right week but considering that we have had issues in this position before, he would be worth a look in the squad for a friendly coming up.”
However, O’Neill – speaking at the launch of the 2015 SportsWorld Summer Soccer Schools in the Aviva Stadium today – said he will need to see Massey in action himself before taking any decision on whether the full-back fits into his plans.
“Yes, I’ve kept an ear on him more than an eye if anything else and I hope at some stage to keep an eye on it,” said O’Neill.
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