Attack will be Kerr priority

IRELAND team manager Brian Kerr yesterday stressed how important the upcoming two European Championship ties in Dublin against Albania and Georgia were but indirectly suggested that the best they could hope for was to finish second in the group to Switzerland.

Ireland need to build on the recovery they launched in their last two matches away to Albania and Georgia if they are to battle their way back into contention, but the ground lost to Russia and Switzerland in their first two qualifying matches may still be critical.

The most relevant fact is that only the winners of the group will be sure of a place in the European finals in Portugal next year. Runners-up will have to go into a play-off, and while that is a route well familiar to Ireland, they will need to be foot-perfect from here if they are to secure right of passage this time.