Kilbane: it’s too late to stop now

KEVIN KILBANE, 104 caps to the good and 60 successive competitive games not out, beams a broad smile and looks forward to number 105 and a ride down Highway 61 in Yerevan this evening.

“Good news, innit?” he chirps. “They’ll be kicking me out soon. It’s good, really good. I think there’s a bit more expectation for this campaign considering the way the last one went, and the way it’s gone since Mr Trapattoni has taken over. We’re very hopeful and, from a personal point of view, I’m glad I’m in the squad again.”

The veteran chuckles and says he’s lost count of the number of times he’s been asked if he’s ready to call it a day for Ireland. This time will surely be the last time, however, as Kilbane admits that he did indeed come very close to packing it in after Paris.