SEAMUS COLEMAN WILL captain Ireland in tonight’s international friendly against Switzerland at Aviva Stadium.
In the absence of Robbie Keane, who is injured, Coleman has been handed the armband by manager Martin O’Neill.
Killybegs native Coleman is making his 33rd Irish appearance tonight, but has yet to score for the Boys in Green.
He previously captained Ireland on the day of his 25th birthday in October 2013, when Ireland lost 3-0 to Germany in Cologne. Ireland were under the temporary management of Noel King for that game, following the departure of Giovanni Trapattoni.
Coleman described that occasion as ‘very special’ and ‘a massive honour’.
Ireland are without Keane, Jon Walters, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick and Anthony Pilkington tonight.
Derry-born Blackburn Rovers defender Shane Duffy – whose father, Brian, is from Letterkenny – has been handed a start. Duffy will win his second cap, with his previous appearance in the 1-1 friendly draw with Costa Rica in June 2014 in Philadelphia.
