Heeding a warning from history

IT’S TWO years to the month since Cyprus walloped Ireland 5-2 in Nicosia and one year to the month since they sent Steve Staunton packing with a 1-1 draw in Croke Park.

Shay Given was missing for the first and probably wished he’s also missed the second but, as Ireland’s bogey team prepare to return to Croker, the Donegal man is determined that history will not repeat itself.

“Those games have left a scar but we’ve got to focus on what we do on Wednesday ‘cos nothing is going to change the last two results,” he says. “They’re in the past, they’re history but, if anything, they’ll make us more aware of how dangerous Cyprus really are.