Kerr’s ‘lesser lights’ shine brightly

THE substantial improvement in Ireland’s form over four days will leave manager Brian Kerr thankful that Ireland will play Australia in a friendly two weeks before the next European Championship tie.

Ireland meet the Socceroos for the first time on August 20 at Lansdowne Road with the penultimate match in the qualifying tournament for Ireland at home to Russia on September 6.

The vibrant and hot-blooded football Ireland produced to defeat Georgia was undoubtedly facilitated by the experience of playing Albania four days earlier. It was as if they had served up a bland appetiser on the Saturday and sought to compensate by following with a spicy main course for the second game. Kerr will welcome the opportunity of bringing his squad together for the visit of Australia to ensure everybody is in full flight and in the proper mind-set for a match against Russia that is of such importance now.