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Martin O’Neill confirmed today that he has finally put pen to paper on his much talked about new contract with the FAI.

The Republic of Ireland manager spoke to the media after he named a 33 man squad at the Aviva Stadium on Friday morning for the upcoming double header 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

O’Neill’s contract will take him to the end of the qualification process, which he hopes will include a trip to Russia for the finals. Roy Keane and the other members of O’Neill’s back room team have also had their contracts extended. Ireland face Georgia first up at home on Thursday October 6 before taking on Moldova in Chisinau the following Sunday.

“I signed it not that long ago,” said Martin O’Neill. “I agreed a deal way back before the Euros and I never really felt it was an issue. It is signed and done. I’m delighted the backroom staff have followed suit too.”

O’Neill explained that there was no particular reason for the delay in signing the contract which had been agreed but not signed before the European Championship.

“John (Delaney) was pretty comfortable with it when we shook hands on the deal. There was no stumbling block. Nothing has changed. The contract remained exactly the same.

“I’m delighted to have done so but delighted to shake hands with John a few months ago. My own view is that Ireland’s best chance of qualification for the World Cup in Russia lies with myself and Roy Keane. I’m delighted he wants to do it.”

The Boys in Green will be looking to build on the point they earned in Serbia at the start of September in the opening match of their campaign. Martin O’Neill’s men scored early and late in the 2-2 draw thanks to two first time international scorers. Jeff Hendrick got the opener in the third minute and Daryl Murphy scoring nine minutes from time in Belgrade.

“I thought it was a great result for us. We got a bit tired in the second half which was expected with a couple of lads who hadn’t played that much. They will be fitter for the next game.

“To fight back and get a point in Serbia is an excellent result for us. Serbia will be up there in the group so I was delighted with the team’s effort. We can improve.

“The first game back after the Euros is difficult and they were difficult conditions for both teams. Considering we had a number of players who hadn’t played any football.”

It was an extended squad that O’Neill named for the World Cup qualifiers. However it didn’t include any Dundalk players with O’Neill saying that only fixture congestion prevented Daryl Horgan being called up (see here).

The squad will be cut down ahead of the players meeting up in Dublin but included in this provisional grouping were two new names - Barnsley midfielder Conor Hourihane, who won August’s Championship Player of the Month, and Falkirk goalkeeper Danny Rogers. Kevin Doyle, Stephen Gleeson from Birmingham and Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes were also named.

Everton midfielder James McCarthy was included as he recovers from injury. “I’ve spoken to our doctor who has been in touch with the physio at Everton,” said O’Neill, “and he is making really good progress. There is a strong possibility that he will be back in full training next week.”

O’Neill was asked about the changing of the guard within the squad and how others have stepped into leadership roles like Seamus Coleman who currently has the captain’s armband.

“Seamus’ efforts in the Euros were fantastic. He has shown leadership. He is a quiet lad by nature. Seamus in many aspects is quiet off the field but not certainly quiet on the pitch. He has shown good leadership and I was delighted with him in the Euros.”

Republic of Ireland Squad:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Danny Rogers (Falkirk).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Marc Wilson (Bournemouth), Stephen Ward (Burnley)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Preston North End), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Stephen Quinn (Reading), David Meyler (Hull City), Conor Hourihane (Barnsley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen).

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Newcastle), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids).