Captain Trap not for changing

The good ship Republic of Ireland will sail for Poland with captain Giovanni Trapattoni firmly at the helm.

All of which means that, in the aftermath of Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, Paul Green has staked a big claim to a berth while James McClean, James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman are likely to be counted among the men overboard.

The Ireland manager had his tongue only slightly in his cheek when he reached for a nautical metaphor yesterday. He spoke of how, once upon a time, sailing ships could find themselves at the mercy of the winds but, in the modern day, it was feasible to plot a solid course — and, more importantly, to stick to it.