Staunton seeks late Croker date with Germans
But if manager Steve Staunton does get what he wants, then it seems a penultimate home qualifier against Germany in Croke Park would be on the cards.
Bobby Robson let slip that much in Frankfurt yesterday when he revealed there had been a “dummy run” fixture meeting in Staunton’s house last Monday.
“In Steve’s plan he had us against Germany towards the end, and then hopefully finishing with what appears to be on paper an easier match - although there’s no such thing as an easy match in international football.
“But, of course, we can only get that if the Germans agree. Steve had some good ideas and a nice sound base and I said to him that if you get four-tenths of that, take it, because you won’t get everything.”
Assuming an agreement is hammered out at the meeting at the German FA headquarters, then later today we will know the date and opposition for the historic first soccer match at Croke Park. Staunton, who played gaelic football there in his youth, walked the Croker pitch last Friday to get a feel for what will be the temporary new home of Irish football in 2007.
“It’s a big difference from running around it 20 years ago, I’ll tell you that,” he grinned. “My memories of it when I was playing gaelic is that it wasn’t level! But now it’s a beautiful surface in a top-class stadium. We’ll get things right for our lads. Obviously there is a difference in texture to the ground but nothing different from what most of the lads have played on in England.
“I would think we would want to keep the pitch more or less the same size as Lansdowne Road although maybe for the odd fixture we might widen it or lengthen it. We’ve got those options game by game. I’m looking at having a squad that will have some good athletes in there and we could use a bigger pitch to our advantage.”
Not for the first time, Staunton mentioned it would be beneficial if the Irish team could play a game there before their competitive debut.
“It’s going to be new to our lads,” he said. “Of course we want a friendly if we can. We know we’ll get some training dates on it. It’s a bit out of our control. But it’s going to be our home ground so if we can get the lads familiarised with the place before we actually go in there for a competitive game, it would be better.”
However, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney reiterated that there is no provision in the association’s agreement with the GAA for a friendly game at Croke Park, although he too added that “it would be nice to have one.”
Staunton also pointed out that there is another historic date looming in the Euro calendar which will be filled in today.
“As much as everyone is going on about Croke Park,” said the manager, “don’t forget the last game at Lansdowne Road. The very last match there before the new stadium - that’s going to be a massive game as well.”
Although the odds may be stacked against the Irish delegation, Staunton is convinced that they have a high-powered team in himself, Robson, Delaney, President David Blood and Director of Strategic Affairs, Declan Conroy.
Meanwhile, a solicitor’s letter has now been sent to Merrion Square by Brian Kerr’s representatives on foot of a newspaper interview given by John Delaney on Tuesday. Kerr has insisted the comments breached a confidentiality clause. Delaney declined to comment yesterday but FAI sources indicated they would “robustly defend” any legal challenge.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
