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Robbie Keane has described playing for the Republic of Ireland as a ‘wonderful journey’. His last match for his country will be against Oman on Wednesday
Robbie Keane has described playing for the Republic of Ireland as a ‘wonderful journey’. His last match for his country will be against Oman on Wednesday. Photograph: John Walton/PA
Robbie Keane has described playing for the Republic of Ireland as a ‘wonderful journey’. His last match for his country will be against Oman on Wednesday. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Ireland’s Robbie Keane announces retirement from international football

This article is more than 7 years old
Last Republic of Ireland match will be against Oman on Wednesday
Keane has made a record 145 appearances and scored 67 goals

Robbie Keane has announced he will retire from international football following Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Oman next Wednesday.

The 36-year-old calls time on his 18-year international career having made a record 145 senior appearances and scored 67 goals, more than three times more than his nearest rival.

“Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from international football following the upcoming game with Oman on 31 August in the Aviva Stadium,” said Keane, the Ireland captain. “It has been a wonderful journey for me to have played with the Irish national team for over 19 years since I made my senior international debut back in 1998. I have enjoyed it all.”

John O’Shea, meanwhile, has been included in the squad that will face Oman and take on Serbia shortly after in Ireland’s first World Cup qualifier, although the defender will be assessed after suffering a hip injury during Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat by Middlesbrough on Sunday.

“The visit of Oman to the Aviva Stadium reminds us of the game they played in Dublin two years ago,” said the Ireland manager Martin O’Neill. “ That took place immediately before we embarked on our European qualifying campaign.

“This game is ideal preparation for our first [World Cup] qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade a few days later. The Oman game also gives us the chance to play in front of Ireland supporters who enhanced their own reputation in France [during Euro 2016]. We are looking forward to both games.”

David Forde, who missed out on selection for Euro 2016, returns following Shay Given’s retirement from international football, while the defenders Marc Wilson, Paul McShane and Alex Pearce have also been included, with Shane Duffy suspended for the Serbia game following his red card against France during the summer.

Ireland will resume competitive action having been boosted by their showing at Euro 2016, where they emerged from their group with a victory over Italy before pushing the eventual finalists France in the last 16.

Republic of Ireland squad to face Oman and Serbia

Darren Randolph (West Ham), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), David Forde (Portsmouth), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (all Derby), Paul McShane (Reading), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle), Marc Wilson (Bournemouth), Stephen Ward (Burnley), James McClean (West Brom), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy (both Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Stephen Quinn (Reading), David Meyler (Hull), Harry Arter, Eunan O’Kane (both Bournemouth), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (both Norwich), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich), Jonathan Walters (Stoke).

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