Entering the field of dreams

Like every manager who has ever gone before him, Martin O’Neill is well aware that these are the good times.

These are the halcyon days before a ball has been kicked and everyone feels entitled to dream, not least the 35,000 to 40,000 supporters expected at the Aviva Stadium tonight for a friendly against Latvia which, with the arrival of the new Irish management team, has suddenly been transformed into a grand occasion.

Yesterday, O’Neill told a little tale to illustrate the point.