IT SEEMS LIKE only last week that the part-timers from the Faroe Islands were summoned from their day jobs and cast in a walk-on part for Giovanni Trapattoni’s curtain call.
Still reeling from humiliation at the hands of Germany days earlier, the black cloud which hung over the Irish camp strongly suggested that October trip to Torshavn would be the manager’s final act — win, lose, or draw.
Even afterwards the 4-1 win seemed like a futile act of defiance but Trapattoni survived and now, eight months on, the mood in the Irish camp matched the summer sun beating down on Malahide as the team trained this week.
“He hasn’t changed since day one,” captain Robbie Keane said yesterday when asked if he had noticed any differences in the manager since that game in the Faroes.
“He’s been in the game a lot longer than any of us and knows way more about the game than we do. Since I’ve been in the squad I haven’t seen any change in him at all.”
Trapattoni cut across his skipper with a hint of a smile. “We’ve changed some players too,” he pointed, letting the sentence hang.
That much is not up for debate, though there are still some who will argue that the changes have come in spite of Trap rather than because of him. The core of the side which started Euro 2012 has largely been disbanded and in its place, a new young spine is fusing together.
(©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Since the 6-1 defeat to Germany, Ireland have lost only one of their last seven games: a friendly against Greece last November. The chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil took a hit with back-to-back draws against Sweden and Austria in March but despite their vastly inferior goal difference, Ireland remain in contention as they prepare to face the Group C minnows this evening.
Two of Trap’s new faces miss out due to suspension: James McCarthy, whose transformation from black sheep to golden boy now appears to be complete, and Shane Long, rewarded for a fine performance and goal against England with the captain’s armband in Sunday’s win over Georgia.
But in their absence the changes continue and Wes Hoolahan, whose creative flair has been championed for so long by frustrated Irish fans, is finally handed his first competitive start in green. Simon Cox’s inclusion on the right wing is the only other change from the side which started that creditable 1-1 Wembley draw, with James McClean perhaps the man with most reason to feel aggrieved on missing out.
“Wes is fantastic with the last pass,” Trapattoni said yesterday. “He is experienced. He is also quick with his passing. He is not shy, he has good personality.
International football is so, so different. Against England or Germany or strong physical players in midfield we play with only one striker in this system, or with two strikers, two wingers and two strong men in midfield.
(©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
At the back David Forde has recovered to take his place in goal after shaking the calf injury which plagued him in training this week while Marc Wilson has also been passed fit and starts at left back.
But there is no place in for Richard Dunne despite Trapattoni’s pronouncement earlier this week that he was ‘90% sure’ to start in the heart of the Irish defence.
“It’s a qualifier, it’s different to a friendly. Sure he’ll play in the second half, or 20 minutes.
“I think it’s better than he comes with us after 10 months of surgery and not playing games. This is a qualifier and we need performance and fit condition.”
On a night when Ireland badly need to rectify their goal difference deficit, Jon Walters has been chosen to partner Robbie Keane in attack. It’s a night of some special significance for the captain who, leading the team out with his young son Robert as mascot, makes his 126th international appearance and overtakes Shay Given as the most-capped player in the country’s history.
“I never thought for one second that I’d be sitting here saying I have the most caps for my country,” Keane said.
It’s something in 10 years’ time that I’ll look back on and be very, very proud of. But when you’re still part of the squad and still training and looking forward to the game, it’s something that you don’t really think about too much because you’re focusing on the game so much.
It’s a big occasion for myself but more so I think for my family. They’re the ones who have been talking about it all the time and are very, very excited about it whereas for me the most important thing is playing the game tomorrow and getting a result for the team.
Ireland (v Faroe Islands): Forde, Coleman, O’Shea, St Ledger, Wilson, McGeady, Whelan, Hoolahan, Cox, Walters, Keane (c).
