Givens calls on reserves after mass withdrawal for friendly

IRELAND'S interim international team manager, Don Givens, was yesterday exposed to the two contrasting extremes of players' attitude to international football in a harsh introduction to life at the top.

An invitation he ex tended to Wimbledon striker David Connolly to join the squad was summarily rejected while an apologetic Andy O'Brien flew from Newcastle to explain to the temporary boss just why he had to be excused.

The withdrawal of eleven players from a squad of 25 must have been a huge disappointment to Givens even if it was always predictable there would be a sizeable casualty list after a full programme of matches at the week-end. Givens assumed a philosophical attitude as the list of withdrawals mounted but there was no hiding his anger as he addressed the press corps and touched upon his attempt to include Connolly as a late replacement.