Last tango in Paris

TO borrow the words of one Mr Elvis Presley, it is a case of now or never for Robbie Keane and the Ireland team he will lead out onto the Stade de France pitch shortly before 9pm local time tonight.

The Tottenham striker will have just turned 34 when the 2014 World Cup final is being decided in Rio de Janeiro and he won’t, by any means, be alone in reaching such a venerable age among tonight’s starters.

Richard Dunne will be 34 too. John O’Shea, Keith Andrews and Liam Lawrence will have all celebrated their 33rd bash, Damien Duff will be five years from 40 and Kevin Kilbane will be two years further down the path.