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.

For Burnley defender Ward, left-back will always be home base with Ireland, but the options ahead of him trigger a sense of excitement for the Euros. Logistics meetings have been held, ticket applications submitted by the players and the closeness of the tournament has the 30-year-old thinking of atonement for the last jaunt to the showpiece.

“I think a lot of young guys have come into the squad that have really freshened it up,” Ward said in reference to likes of Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and Shane Duffy.

“Even around the camp in the hotel, you can tell there is a good atmosphere.

“It’s something we’ll have to keep strong going into the summer but there is a good feeling around the place.

“It’s exciting times and everyone is going to go back and obviously go back and be with their clubs for a few weeks. But there is one eye on the Euros.

“What’s particularly pleasing from the past week is we’ve shown our ability to play couple of different formations.

“The manager changed it around a bit for the Slovakian game, playing extra men in the middle, I thought we out-passed them over the game.”