Rock bottom Ireland badly in need of a Dutch of class

IRELAND go into today’s Samsung Super League nations cup at Rotterdam bidding to fan the embers of hope that appeared in St Gallen.

A fortnight ago, the team were placed fifth in the Swiss leg of the eight-round league. This is not exceptional on its own, but, when measured against the last-place finishes of La Baule and Rome, it may signal the start of a comeback. However, Ireland continues to prop up the league table.

We have now reached the half-way stage and yesterday the latest chef d’equipe, Eamonn Rice sang what has become a familiar refrain.