Young guns have brought fresh impetus, says Stephen Ward

As one of the Euro 2012 survivors in the squad, Stephen Ward can sense a different vibe to the bunch descending on France in June and insists the Ireland team is all the better for it.

An ageing Ireland bombed four years ago in Poland and much has changed since that disastrous showing. Clearly different is the majority of personnel but Martin O’Neill demonstrated over the double-header friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia the squad’s flexibility in formation.

Whilst the old-fashioned 4-4-2 system was successful in Friday’s victory over the Swiss, the “diamond” system O’Neill imposed in the 2-2 draw against the Slovakians saw Wes Hoolahan and James McCarthy sparkle.