St Ledger primed for biggest test yet

IT’S only when Sean St Ledger points out that he has yet to play for his country in Croke Park that the astonishing rapidity of his rise from relative obscurity and through the Irish ranks really hits home.

The Middlesbrough defender, though already a key player, still has only five caps after making his debut against Nigeria at Craven Cottage last May and he has featured in cities as diverse as Sofia, Nicosia and Limerick since.

“I haven’t been in (Croke Park) but I’ve been past it,” he said. “It’s an absolute monster of a stadium and I’m sure the atmosphere will be great, especially with it being a night kick-off and the fans having been in the pub. I’m sure it’s going to be nice and loud.”