Ireland Registers Defender Jimmy Dunne as Goalkeeper for Israel Match
Ahead of the match against Israel in Debrecen, Ireland registered defender Jimmy Dunne as a goalkeeper due to Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal and UEFA squad regulations.
The unusual situation surrounding the Republic of Ireland national team ahead of tonight's match against Israel in Debrecen has led to a highly unconventional solution: defender Jimmy Dunne has been registered as a goalkeeper in the matchday squad. The reason behind this move is the withdrawal of Gavin Bazunu from the fixtures against Israel. The goalkeeper announced he did not wish to participate in the two encounters, leaving Ireland with only two natural goalkeepers, Caoimhin Kelleher and Max O'Leary.
UEFA Nations League regulations stipulate that the 23-player matchday squad must include three goalkeepers. Therefore, to meet this technical requirement, the Irish registered Dunne as one of the goalies, even though he is naturally a center-back playing for Queens Park Rangers.
Dunne was included in manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad, but he arrived less than 100 percent fit, struggling with an ankle issue. Unless an extreme scenario unfolds, Kelleher is expected to start in goal against Israel.
This unusual maneuver is a direct result of Bazunu's decision to leave the squad ahead of the matches against Israel, following days of internal discussions within the national team regarding the very staging of the fixtures.
