Dokter to act as Irish condition critical

Quite why it takes a crisis at senior international level to trigger calls for an overhaul of a grassroots system that has for years been dysfunctional must be unique to Ireland.

A plethora of former players, amongst them Niall Quinn, Kevin Kilbane and Steven Reid, have this week issued damning forecasts for Irish football unless urgent action is implemented at the youngest ages of elite players.

Captain Robbie Keane waded in on Monday, insisting Ireland doesn’t possess the football culture, nor players, to operate anything except a “Plan A” long-ball tactic at senior level.