Fit players help Trap see bright side

Giovanni Trapattoni has grown sufficiently accustomed to the cold wind which often sweeps driving rain in from the sea across Gannon Park that yesterday’s cloudy but mild conditions in Malahide had the manager almost waxing lyrical after Ireland’s first full training session of Euro 2012.

“The weather is fantastic,” he smiled, as he perched on a bench in one of the dressing rooms, before making known the real reason for his sunny disposition, “but the players are better.”

Robbie Keane won’t be joining up with the squad until today but Trapattoni appeared unperturbed about the hamstring problem the player picked up at LA Galaxy.