Perfect rehearsal for Israel

THESE Lansdowne Road mid-season friendlies have become so familiar that maybe the FAI should consider taking a patent out on them.

Against opponents of Portugal's calibre you can be guaranteed that Ireland won't be seeing as much of the ball as you would like and last night was no different at least in the first half.

Mattie Holland and Kevin Kilbane were more like spectators at times as Portugal wove their intricate patterns. That Ireland didn't suffer on the scoreboard was down to a lack of a killer instinct, which the visitors have previously shown to be something of an Achilles' heel.

Ireland though, for the most part, did exactly what they say on the tin. Damien Duff sparkled, Robbie Keane frustrated, Clinton Morrison harried and John O'Shea sauntered. Two of the more pleasing aspects were the displays of an energetic Andy Reid and the rebirth of Andy O'Brien.

O'Brien started shakily enough but was beginning to settle even before his first international goal after 20 minutes.

The bottom line for Brian Kerr is that he is now manager of a team which has conceded just one goal in their last six matches.

Of course, had Manuel Fernandes' shot in injury time been a whisker to the left of Shay Given's post the result would have been very different. As it was, Ireland's fifth clean sheet in six matches and their 10th in 14 was the focus of most of the media and players afterwards.

"Not conceding a goal was a plus point for us," admitted Given. "It was a difficult night to play football and the pitch didn't help out there either.

"Conceding one goal in six games is a pretty good record but it's okay to do that in friendlies like tonight but the qualifiers are what really matter for us. It's important for us to go on and build on tonight."

"They had a couple of scoring chances but, all credit to the lads in front of me, they kept them reduced to long range shots from outside the box for most of the game. Israel is the real test for us now.

"They've done quite well in the group, maybe they're the surprise boys at the minute but it will be a serious test for us out there."

For O'Brien, his first goal in the green was confirmation that his demotion from Newcastle's defence earlier in the season was long behind him. O'Brien's display, injury permitting, should see him continue at the back for the trip to Tel Aviv next month.

"The main thing was the result," said the former Bradford man. "I'm very pleased and proud to score my first goal for Ireland. I've waited a long time for it. They all count I suppose."

Adding to Kerr's defensive possibilities is the resurrection of Richard Dunne across the Pennines at the Stadium of Manchester. Dunne came on as a substitute for Kenny Cunningham in the second half last night and is another Kerr will have few fears about if needed in Israel.

"It's another clean sheet and we've managed to continue our recent good form, which is pleasing. It was a difficult match to play in those conditions. The wind got up a good bit at times but we managed to get the goal that counted.

"With teams like France and Switzerland to play against still, it's great to be racking up those clean sheets. It's a great habit to get into.

"Hopefully we can keep it up. Portugal have been playing well. They've been scoring a lot of goals in their qualifying group but it's always hard for teams to come to Lansdowne Road and get a result."

Before Israel, Dunne has a certain Manchester derby to see to this weekend though. Hard to look beyond that for now.

"Yeah, it should be a good game. A lot of people were saying we'd done Manchester United a favour last week by drawing with Arsenal but we won't want to do them any favours this weekend."