Daryl Murphy has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2016, but fellow Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick did not make the cut when manager Martin O’Neill announced his final 23-man group moments before last night’s 11pm deadline.

Murphy put a golden headed chance over the crossbar and was substituted after 67 minutes of last night’s flat 2-1 defeat to Belarus, in Cork.

McGoldrick, who enjoyed an encouraging end to an injury-hit club campaign, only played the last 12 minutes having impressed as a starter in the previous friendly draw against Holland.

David Forde, Eunan O’Kane, Harry Arter, Darron Gibson and Callum O’Dowda were the other players to be informed after the match that they had missed out.

Mikhail Hardzeichuk fired the visitors into a 20th-minute lead with a stunning strike and Maksim Valadzko doubled his side’s advantage with 63 minutes gone just when it looked like Ireland had finally found their feet.

Stephen Ward reduced the deficit as the introduction of substitutes Shane Long and Wes Hoolahan gave the Republic a much-needed spark in front of an expectant crown of 7,200, but the evening ultimately ended in disappointment, even for those men who will be on the plane next Wednesday.

Having seen midfielder Harry Arter leave the camp after damaging a thigh muscle in training the previous evening and James McCarthy ruled out of the final two friendlies by a similar problem, O’Neill will have hoped for positives from the men he selected on the night.

But apart from Jeff Hendrick’s industry and James McClean’s aggression, there was little to cheer the manager as Belarus, prompted by Ihar Stasevich, enjoyed the better of the tussle in that area of the field.

Shay Given, 40, earned his 134th cap and established himself as Ireland’s longest serving international as he broke Johnny Giles’ record of 19 years and 202 days.

SQUAD: Randolph, Given, Westwood; Coleman, Christie, O’Shea, Clark, Duffy, Keogh, Brady, Ward; Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Hoolahan, McClean, McGeady, Meyler, Quinn, Walters, Hoolahan; Long, Murphy, Keane.