Kenny aiming to celebrate 50th cap with three points

THERE are no prizes for guessing the gift that Ireland’s captain, Kenny Cunningham, about to make his 50th international appearance, wants from this afternoon’s game against Russia.

Cunningham emphasised how dearly he and his colleagues prized the three points that are at stake, three points that would go a long way towards facilitating their qualification for the European Championship finals in Portugal next year.

Cunningham is the type of pragmatic professional whose facial expression does not always mirror the internal feelings he may be harbouring.