Ireland can qualify, insists Dunne

Richard Dunne feels the Republic of Ireland are on the brink of proving they are good enough to qualify for the European Championship finals.

Following a 1-0 defeat to Germany in their opening Group D game, Steve Staunton's side now face Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday and the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

Ireland are already playing catch-up as both Germany and the Czechs have taken six points from their initial two matches.

Ireland, though, have lost their last three, and failed to score in five of the previous seven as they continue the transition from the era of former manager Brian Kerr to that of Staunton.

Ahead of the impending double-header, Staunton has again been hit by several injury withdrawals, notably Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Steven Reid, Graham Kavanagh, with Kevin Doyle looking increasingly likely to join them.

But centre-back Dunne maintains: 'We're not that far away from being a side that can qualify. I don't think as a team we should be dwelling on our previous results. It's about believing in ourselves.

'If we can get a couple of goals, keep a couple of clean sheets, then that belief will be high again. If we can get four points from these next two matches then we can still qualify, but in all honesty we need the six.'

Cyprus will be no pushovers either, despite a 6-1 hammering from Slovakia last month in their opening group fixture.

Ireland narrowly beat the Cypriots 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier exactly a year ago, with Given exemplary on the night at the GSP Stadium to ensure there was no embarrassment.

'We had a tough time there last time out, but we won,' remarked Manchester City captain Dunne. 'We feel with the quality we have in our squad that we should win again.

'If we can do that then we need to focus on getting results right at Lansdowne Road, starting against the Czech Republic. They are a good side and they will be difficult to beat, but it's a game - if we play to our capabilities - that we will be confident of winning.'

Ireland, though, will have to cope without Staunton urging them on from the dugout in Cyprus as the 37-year-old serves a one-game ban following his dismissal against Germany.

It means Staunton will not be allowed any contact with the team or other members of his coaching staff from the moment they arrive at the ground.

Dunne does not see that as a problem, adding: 'It's not something I've ever experienced before, so it will be strange.
But I'm sure everything will be sorted out. Tomorrow will simply be about getting the hours out of the way ahead of the game. We should know what we need to do by then.

'Obviously, you'd like your manager there to give you a pep talk, but he will have done his tactics and homework ahead of the game so it will be fine.'

The loss of so many key players, though, is a concern for Dunne, who added: 'It's obviously worrying and disappointing to have so many drop out. It's going to make it difficult.

'But international football is about having a big squad. We've a few different faces in, so it's a time for people to prove themselves, get into the team and keep their place.

'The lads who have come in, this is something they should relish, a challenge and an opportunity to stake a claim.'

Reading striker Doyle will again sit out today's training session at the Tsirion Stadium in Limassol with an ankle injury sustained in Sunday's 1-0 Barclays Premiership win at West Ham.