Team set to stand and deliver

IRELAND’S prospects in the upcoming European Championship will stand or fall on their capacity for hard work, a belief that will be illustrated when they open their qualifying campaign against Russia in Moscow on Saturday.

Ireland’s status as group favourites and their achievements in the World Cup, will not lead to any feelings of complacency within the squad, in the opinion of manager Mick McCarthy.

“We were third seeds in the European Championship of 2000 and third series in the qualifying group of the World Cup so that has changed,” he said. “But what has not changed is the emphasis upon securing the results we need. No matter whether we are first seeds or third seeds the pressure comes from the need to produce results.