Harte all smiles and grateful for another chance

SEVEN uncapped players flew to Rimini at Steve Staunton’s behest on Monday but, elated as they all undoubtedly were, none would have sported a wider grin than Ian Harte.

With 77 caps to his credit stretching back to a debut against Croatia in February 1996, a trip to San Marino would hardly get the Levante left-back excited under normal circumstances. But these are not normal circumstances.

Last August, he faced the prospect of never playing football again. And worse. His pre-season had been blighted by darting pains in his left leg and when he arrived back in Dublin for the friendly against Holland, the Irish medical staff saw enough to send him for an MRI scan.