Richard Dunne is expecting a more relaxed Republic of Ireland side tonight now the Croke Park factor is off the agenda.
The build-up for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales was dominated by the fact it would be Ireland's first match at the GAA stronghold.
That appeared to play its part in another below-par performance as boss Steve Staunton's side laboured to a 1-0 victory.
With Slovakia next up tonight, Dunne said: 'It was a very good occasion on Saturday for the players and the fans, but that's gone now, and tonight is just another game.
'It's just as important as Saturday, but maybe the occasion has passed so we will be a bit more relaxed.'
Dunne maintains the negative publicity surrounding the team at present has had no adverse effect either.
'When the squad is announced, we come over here and we know we have a job to do,' added the Manchester City captain.
'We just stick to our guns, whatever people say, whether it's positive or negative.
'We just have to keep ourselves as we are and just perform. If people criticise us for the way we perform, then so be it.
'We're still winning games at the moment, and that's all we can do.'
The Republic have picked up 10 points from their last four games to at least give themselves a shot at qualification.
'We started the campaign slowly, but we are improving,' maintained Dunne.
'We've obviously a very difficult game tonight, but if we win that then we go into a six-month break sitting in a good position, and with a good chance of pushing on for qualification.
'After the disappointing defeat to Cyprus (last October), we then had a very good reaction against the Czech Republic.
'The results since have been what we wanted, picking up nine points from nine.'
Slovakia, a point behind Ireland and having played a game less, go into the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 3-1 victory in Cyprus on Saturday.
That was head coach Jan Kocian's first competitive outing after a run of friendlies late last year following his appointment in the wake of a woeful 4-1 home defeat to Germany in October.
With the Germans seemingly on course to top the group, it would appear the fight for second place is between the Czech Republic, Ireland and the Slovaks.
Kocian is doing things his way regardless as he said: 'We are building a new, young team, probably the youngest in Slovakian football history.
'It's a big risk to play with a lot of young players, although a lot of them have international experience as they play in strong competitions with their club football.
'But I don't think it is a setback for us to play with such a team, even though we are chasing points.
'I came into this job on the back of heavy losses to Germany and the Czech Republic. Now we have to pick up points from somewhere.
'We got them against Cyprus, and now we have to find them from somewhere else - hopefully tonight in Dublin.'
