The Inside Track with Tony O’Donoghue
Sun-kissed Malahide certainly created the right atmosphere for the Republic of Ireland squad as they began the week with the first of two daily training sessions on Monday morning.
As far as Giovanni Trapattoni is concerned the European Championships start here!
Although some players have been here since last Thursday, when Ireland captain Robbie Keane arrived from Los Angeles it marked the beginning of the Euro 2012 campaign in earnest.
Double sessions are a change from the original squad schedule but they were not unexpected either.
Trapattoni and Tardelli see this week as crucial in inculcating their method. Newer and less experienced players will be given a chance to learn the system and the opportunities for bonding an already tight-knit group will be taken.
It’s clear that the team spirit which has brought Ireland back to the top table of international football is a valuable commodity and will be nurtured.
And the country seems to be finally falling in love with this team, the posters on the lampposts along the Malahide and Portmarnock coastline wishing The Boys in Green well going down very well with the squad.
John O’Shea missed training today because of an ankle injury and Glenn Whelan, although he got married only last Saturday, was back in the bosom of his football family gearing up for the biggest days of his professional life.
Kevin Foley and Keith Fahey both did some light work in the gym as the intensity was ramped up. Expect more of the same for the rest of the week ahead of the farewell game against Bosnia at the Aviva.
It was great to see so many kids at the sessions and great to see the players give them plenty of time for autographs and photos.
One three-year-old, kitted out from head to toe in green, was more interested in the team bus than meeting the players. He was duly brought aboard and given the tour.
The Mixed Zone is the area and the opportunity for media to interview squad members and Sean St. Ledger, Aidan McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Stephen Ward were the players offered up on Monday.
Their quotes and thoughts will be filling the newspapers for the rest of the week.
Local lad Ward joined us live on the roof of The Grand Hotel in Malahide for MNS and spoke of his growing excitement at the prospect of the Euros. He did point out though that he had no tickets left!
Before that though there’s The Big Send Off against Bosnia at The Aviva on Saturday, a last chance for Irish fans, especially those not travelling to Poland (if there’s actually any of those left) to wish the Boys in Green all the best on their Polish odyssey.
So Euro 2012 starts here, a journey that will take in Lansdowne Road, Montecatini, Budapest and Gydnia.
These moments don’t happen too often in the life of the Irish football supporter, nor indeed the humble hack. I, for one, can hardly wait.
- Tony O’Donoghue is soccer correspondent for RTÉ and will be with the Republic of Ireland squad on the road to Poland and Ukraine.
