KENNY CUNNINGHAM has insisted that Ireland’s World Cup fate still rests in their own hands as they aim to put the weekend’s frustrations behind them in the Faroe Islands.

“A DREAM” is how Israeli coach Avraham Grant described the fighting comeback at Lansdowne Road.

Ian Harte returned from a 13-month international exile to win his 59th cap for the Republic of Ireland as manager Brian Kerr turned to the left-back to help solve his defensive problems.

SKY SPORTS likes to call them “massive, massive games”; Brian Kerr has settled for “absolutely crucial”.

BRIAN KERR will wait until later today at the earliest before making a final decision on the availability of Steve Finnan for tomorrow’s World Cup game against Israel at Lansdowne Road.