Delaney calls on fans to back Trap

FAI chief executive John Delaney admits he has “probably heard too much about Stephen Ireland and too much about Andy Reid,” as the Republic of Ireland bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals.

Reid’s omission and Ireland’s self-imposed exile from Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad continue to dominate the headlines and the airwaves however the FAI boss wants fans to concentrate their efforts on getting behind the national side ahead of next month’s two play-offs with France.

Speaking on RTÉ 2FM, Delaney heaped praise on the manager, despite continued calls for Sunderland’s Reid to be recalled to the fold given his form in the Premier League.