Ireland manager Brian Kerr has insisted his feud with France manager Raymond Domenech is over after the France boss clarified comments he made about the Ireland team.
Domenech was quoted as saying Ireland relied on long ball football against Israel which angered Kerr enough to claim the France manager was disrespectful earlier this week.
But Domenech has now clarified his comments insisting he said that against Israel, Ireland did play long ball football but that that was unusual, though it shows that Ireland can resort to that tactic if the game requires.
Kerr was pleased with Domenech's explanation and said: “That's fair enough. We will not need Butros Butros Gali (former United Nations secretary general) to sort it out. I'll shake hands with him before the game.
“At this stage, I'm concerned about them all but they should be okay. Damien's injury is a bigger concern because it was picked on Thursday but he should be okay.”
Better news for Kerr was that Andy O'Brien and Kevin Kilbane both recovered from their respective illnesses and trained today and will definitely be fit for the clash with France, who Kerr believes are the top team in the group.
“We'll need to be at our absolute best against France if we are to get a result and that's what we're preparing for.
“They're a top side with world class players and it's a very big game for both teams.”
Kerr was in Lens for France's 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands and he insisted that it was a useful exercise even though he was not too surprised by anything he saw from the game.
“It was useful to go over. It was a chance to see the new ‘old’ team if you like and see how they play.
“They were a bit open at the back which may worry them a bit but I would say they will be tighter against us given the occasion.”
