Ireland get set for real deal

THERE are friendlies and there are friendlies – and then there are World Cup dress rehearsals.

Tomorrow’s game between the Republic of Ireland and Australia in Limerick clearly falls into the latter category, as far as Giovanni Trapattoni is concerned.

Liam Brady made that much abundantly clear after squad training at St Michael’s in Tipperary yesterday when he revealed the Italian’s frame of mind going into the game in Thomond Park.