SOME FINN HAS TO GIVE

Competition in midfield red hot as JJ stakes his claim for a start

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

THE big winners from Ireland's two-game summer window were the players who stayed at home because very few of them will find their positions under threat in September.

Of the fringe players called for duty against Senegal and Luxembourg, only Kasey McAteer, Jack Taylor and Ryan Manning enhanced their claims for a World Cup start.

Max O'Leary did well on his debut against Luxembourg - six years after his first call-up - but he's behind Caoimhin Kelleher, with Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers still to return.

St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips (right) put his best foot forward off the bench on his own debut against Senegal, but found it harder going against Luxembourg.

And while John Joe Patrick Finn may be one of the more hyped Irish players in recent times, it’s very much based on a curiosity factor rather than actual evidence.

Andrew Omobamidele, Liam Scales and Josh Honohan will be disappointed not to have featured at all this month, although Honohan did have a scan on a thigh issue.

Despite the dour stalemate on Tuesday, there’s a noticeable confidence within the squad after four games unbeaten this year, ahead of September's clash with Hungary.

But there is still cause for concern across aspects of this team, not least with a malfunctioning attack despite the potential on offer to Heimir Hallgrimsson.