Staunton the Great a titan for indomitable Irish

A NIGHT of extravagant entertainment marked one of the most momentous achievements in Irish sports history: a 100th international cap for the remarkable Steve Staunton.

The Irish skipper was presented with a gold watch by the youngest player in the World Cup squad, Steven Reid, to mark his record and then produced a typically courageous performance to lead by example as Ireland produced a performance fit to grace any stage.

The individual stars of a memorable occasion were the relatively youthful Damien Duff and Robbie Keane but it was symptomatic of the unity within this squad that it was two of the oldest competitors, Staunton and Niall Quinn, who chased them hardest for top billing.

Staunton was excellent throughout and Quinn made an impact commensurate with his considerable physique when introduced as substitute in the 73rd minute.

His strength in the air unnerved the tall German defenders and complimented perfectly the predatory skills of the marvellous Robbie Keane.

"Quinn coming on made a difference. He won three or four headers where Ireland had not troubled us until then," said German manager Rudi Voeller.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy echoed the sentiments of Voeller: “Quinn made a big difference.

He has great height and presence.

"For the goal he got a flick on and Keane was on his shoulder. Robbie had two other chances, were it not for Kahn I thought we would have won the game. Robbie had gone so close on two or three occasions."

McCarthy remained calm and composed after the final whistle but he must have been exultant inside. For his tactical changes at the start of the second half effectively undermined the security that Germany showed in the first half.

He revealed at first he thought Keane had failed to score to compound the frustration of several missed chances early and said: "At first I thought he had hit the post again and I held my head in frustration. Then I saw the net shaking. It was a great feeling, a memorable moment."

It was fitting the buzz-saw busy Keane should have claimed the goal for he was brilliant. "Centre-forwards are judged on the goals they get, that is their business and tonight Keane delivered," said McCarthy.

He added: "At half-time I told my players to go out and dominate the game but don’t be the better side and come off disappointed. Be the better side and get the result you want.

"The German defence played very well and I was particularly impressed with Linke. The Germans have won three World Cups, they have always had good teams, they have good players, were well-organised, but we really got stuck in."

Still the magnificent Oliver Kahn threatened for a long time to upset Ireland’s night and bomb them out of the World Cup. He made a string of top-class saves, most often from Keane.

Cameroon play Saudi Arabia today and it will be of particular interest to Ireland to see whether Cameroon can hit them for eight as Germany did. Bliss for Ireland would be a drawn game or, unlikely as it seems, a win for Saudi Arabia.

For now it is enough to celebrate a superb performance. "I thought we controlled the second half. The desire, the passion and the commitment are always there but remember we have some good players as well to go with them," said McCarthy.

"We were the better team, particularly in the second half and we got the result we deserved."

Asked how he thought the 7,000 Irish supporters had contributed to the result he said: "I think you need to do your mathematics. There were more than 7,000 there. They were brilliant as ever, great people we have as supporters."

He reviewed Ireland’s performance by paying tribute to the centurion Steve Staunton and his partner Gary Breen by saying: "They were a bit shaky in the first half against Cameroon, but they nailed it down in the second half and tonight I thought they were brilliant."

Of the German goal-scorer Stephane Klose he said: "He got great spring for the goal, that is four goals in two games for him, you cannot argue with figures like that."

He returned to his central theme by saying: "I thought we were the better side.

"I’ve talked up the Germans for the last five days, now that’s the end.

"We have a great team spirit in the camp and that was illustrated at our pre-match meal when the youngest player, Steven Reid, presented the oldest player with a beautiful watch.

"That said it all with the sense of camaraderie in the sense.

"Remember: You never beat the Irish."

After a night like this who could argue with that ?