Fringe men stake solid claims

Republic of Ireland 2 Oman 0

Between the tame nature of the opposition last night, the even more tepid atmosphere in a largely deserted stadium and the fact that Martin O’Neill began with something close to an Irish B team, it was hard to imagine an occasion further removed from the full house and heat and hostility which the Irish can expect when they open their European Championship account in Tbilisi on Sunday.

The unfamiliar nature of the Irish starting 11 – David Meyler at right back but with full encouragement to get forward being the biggest surprise – suggested that while O’Neill was keeping one eye on the fringe players he had a much bigger one on those he wanted to keep in reserve for Sunday.