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.

"The pattern in midfield for us was a little different than usual and we could have used the ball better at times. But the pitch was not great, it was too grassy and bumpy and although it had been watered it wasn't easy to move the ball quickly.

"The standard was not at the level we would like but it was satisfactory. There were not a lot of chances in the match but the onus was on them as the home team and we coped with them very well.

"The back four was very solid. Andy O'Brien has had a lot of matches recently I used Gary Doherty at centre-back because of that because of the injury his Newcastle partner, Jonathan Woodgate, suffered recently.

"It was good to keep our unbeaten run in friendlies going.

"It was a big match for Liam Miller and he and Mark Kinsella got a good hold of the midfield sector in the second half. Liam got stronger as the game went on and he used the ball well at times.

"Poland were disappointed with the way they played but they were very strong and they will be a handful for any team, there's no doubt about that."

Kerr had looked forward to playing in Poland because he wanted his players to experience life away from the comfort zone of Lansdowne Road, and he felt this trip did the job.

The Irish also extended their run under Kerr to one defeat in 14 matches since he took charge at the beginning of last year.

He added: "We got few decisions from the referee, he gave them every push and throw-in. The players have to learn that's the way it is away from home, so this game did fit the bill of what I wanted.

"It was important psychologically to continue the run, and it was good to keep a clean sheet away from home. That is three clean sheets in our last four matches now against quality opposition and I felt we did well considering we were short of our best team."