Ireland name defender Jimmy Dunne as emergency goalkeeper after Bazunu withdraws from Israel clash
Republic of Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne has been registered as a goalkeeper for Sunday's Nations League fixture against Israel in Debrecen after Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad over the war in Gaza.
The Republic of Ireland have named defender Jimmy Dunne as one of two reserve goalkeepers for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel after Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad over Israel’s war in Gaza, Reuters reports.
The positional switch came after Bazunu told his team-mates and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson on Saturday that he would not take part in the fixtures. The Bolton goalkeeper later posted a statement on Instagram: “I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly… I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel. My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.” He added his stance was not directed against the Israeli people or the Jewish community but “against the atrocities in the region”.
Bazunu’s withdrawal prompted hours of discussions among the squad on Saturday over whether to fulfil the fixture at all. FAI chief executive David Courell confirmed that a vote among the players returned a significant majority in favour of playing.
UEFA rules require three goalkeepers to be registered for Nations League matches. With Bazunu out, Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher is the senior keeper and West Brom’s Max O’Leary provides cover, leaving Hallgrimsson to register the 28-year-old QPR defender Dunne to satisfy the regulation. Dunne, who did not play in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat in Kosovo, is the only change to the 23-man matchday squad published by UEFA.
The match takes place at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday evening.
Sources
- Reuters: Irish defender Dunne named as goalkeeper for Israel clash as Bazunu pulls out — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/irish-defender-dunne-named-goalkeeper-israel-clash-bazunu-pulls-out-2026-09-27/
- AFP via Tribune.com.pk: Ireland squad vote to play Israel tie — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631656/ireland-squad-vote-to-play-israel-tie
- The Sun (Ireland): Ireland outfield player named among goalkeepers for Israel clash to align with UEFA squad rule — https://www.thesun.ie/sport/17680065/ireland-among-goalkeepers-israel-uefa-rule-jimmy-dunne/
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