Sunderland winger James McClean gets Euro 2012 call-up from Republic of Ireland

James McClean has impressed at club side Sunderland (GETTY IMAGES)

Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday answered the pleas of a nation when he named the Sunderland winger James McClean in his squad for Euro 2012 this summer.

McClean, 23, who was born in Northern Ireland, joined Sunderland for £350,000 from Derry City last summer. He has made an impact in the second half of the Premier League season, as Sunderland's form has improved under Martin O'Neill.

The Wigan midfielder James McCarthy asked to be withdrawn from consideration for selection.

In a statement issued by the Football Association of Ireland, McCarthy said: "I have made the very difficult decision to withdraw my name from selection from the Euro 2012 squad following the diagnosis of my father with cancer and an ongoing requirement for treatment.

"I have discussed this with the manager. He was very understanding and I thank him sincerely for that.

"I would like to wish the manager and my team-mates every success at the tournament and hope that Irish fans can understand the reason for my decision at this difficult time."

Republic of Ireland squad: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall); John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St Ledger (Leicester), Darren O'Dea (Leeds), Kevin Foley (Wolves); Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Darron Gibson (Everton), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), James McClean (Sunderland); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long, Simon Cox (both West Bromwich), Jon Walters (Stoke). Stand-by: Darren Randolph (Motherwell), Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), Paul Green (Unattached), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Andy Keogh (Millwall).