May 7 2002

Clinton Morrison

Mick McCarthy has named Clinton Morrison amongst his 23-man Irish squad for the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea.

Morrison has capped off a brilliant season by being named in the squad set to travel for the World Cup in about a month’s time.

The 2001/02 season has undoubtedly been Morrison’s best ever. Not only has Clinton finished as top scorer for Palace with 22 goals in 44 games, the 22 year-old also made his first appearance for Ireland as a sub against Croatia on August 15, a game which also saw him score just 24 minutes into his international debut.

Morrison has been named alongside four other forwards in Mick McCarthy’s World Cup squad. He faces stiff competition with Damien Duff (Blackburn) and Robbie Keane (Leeds) the favourites to start up front.

However should any injury problems arise, Morrison will be left to battle it out with Niall Quinn (Sunderland) and David Connolly (Wimbledon) for a position in starting line up.

Ireland were drawn in Group E along with Saudi Arabia, Cameroon and not to mention group favourites Germany. Their first match is on June 1, where they face Cameroon, a game Clinton will certainly be hoping to star in.