Patience the key as Ward grabs his chance with Ireland

STEPHEN WARD was born and bred in Portmarnock, just a brisk walk along the Dublin coastline from the Republic of Ireland’s training base in Malahide, but his path towards full international honours proved far longer than he could have anticipated.

Now 25, the Wolves defender made his debut last week in the 5-0 defeat of Northern Ireland and was offered another opportunity to make up for lost time with another 90 minutes against Scotland on Sunday as the Irish side claimed a rare piece of silverware.

Awaiting him after his debut was a congratulatory text from club manager Mick McCarthy, who had long championed his potential contribution which, until then, had been limited to a B appearance and a senior call-up last May that had to be rejected on account of a knee operation.