Trap says Hoolahan in midfield frame for Faroes

The FAI performed their own version of the loaves and fishes at Lansdowne Road last night, announcing an official crowd of 21,100 for this friendly against Georgia when a head count would have stopped some distance short.

Of more importance was how Giovanni Trapattoni’s options for next Friday’s World Cup qualifier seemed to multiply on the back of a 4-0 win that was every bit as easy as it sounds thanks to the visitors’ numerical disadvantage for 70 of the 90 minutes.

“I am happy with the result,” said the Italian. “I said this morning to the team the importance of the game against Georgia after the game in England. We could not underestimate Georgia. We started a bit nervous in the first 10 minutes.