Dunne focuses on finals goal

STEVE STAUNTON has made no secret of the fact that he sees himself engaged in a rebuilding programme which has the World Cup 2010 as its ultimate goal, even as he tries to steer his transitional Irish side through to the European finals in Switzerland and Austria in 20 months’ time.

That, perhaps, is one of the burdens of international management. But from a player’s perspective, things can look a little different.

Hence Richard Dunne’s insistence that, while experimentation is all well and good, the priority for the Republic of Ireland squad must be to qualify for the next European Championships.