Given makes strong case for outstanding defence

AS the Irish players emerged from their dressing room in the Stade de France on Saturday night, the recurring theme was one of satisfaction with a good night’s work, tinged with just a hint of regret that they weren’t taking all three points with them from Paris.

Goalkeeper Shay Given had been called upon to do his bit to ensure that one precious away point was the very least Ireland deserved to get out of the game, saving once spectacularly from Pires and again coming to the rescue when Henry got through on goal.

“I knew coming to the stadium I’d have a few saves to make and I was happy to be in the right place when called upon,” he said. “You’re always conscious of Henry, he’s such a world class player. I felt Andy O’Brien and Kenny Cunningham did superbly. They never really gave him much of a sniff. The one time when he did get in one on one I just went to close the angle and was happy to get a hand to it and put it around the post. But I think that was about the only chance he had.