‘Playing for Ireland not about money’

Shay Given insists the Ireland players are not at loggerheads with the FAI over the issue of bonus payments for qualification for the Euro finals.

It has been claimed the squad are unhappy with the amount on offer — which unconfirmed reports put at around €350,000 — while, in an interview at the weekend, Portsmouth’s Liam Lawrence predicted the players would be prepared to make an issue of it.

However, Given yesterday sought to play down the matter.