St Ledger wants senior players to stick around

Sean St Ledger has insisted the Republic of Ireland’s band of 30-somethings has plenty left to offer as the focus turns away from a disastrous Euro 2012 experience and towards the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Giovanni trapattoni took eight players aged 30 or over to Poland this month and revealed after the last of three defeats, to Italy on Monday evening, that some had already confirmed they would not be staying on board beyond the summer.

Damien Duff all but admitted as much when wheeled out for the pre-match press conference on Sunday to mark his 100th cap while Richard Dunne has sounded similar suggestions both before and after the European Championships.