Kerr sees positives in tame affair

BRIAN KERR rejoiced in Ireland’s achievement of extending their unbeaten run in friendly matches to seven after a low-key and unexceptional match against Poland in Bydgoszcz last night.

Kerr took the opportunity of introducing two new caps to the growing army of current internationals when he sent Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers) and Jason Byrne (Shelbourne) into the match in the second half.

Kerr said: "I had 11 players who withdrew from the squad and another four or five who were not even available, so it was satisfactory especially as they were quite near their best team with all their foreign-based players available to them.