David Meyler pledge to give it his all for Republic of Ireland

Advertising can be a tricky business. Events can pass you by, moods can swing to the extent that campaigns that looked to be a good idea at inception can appear dated even as the billboards are being fitted with the latest offerings.

So it was yesterday that Martin O’Neill sat next to a poster promoting tonight’s qualifier against Moldova that declared ‘NOW IS THE TIME’ in big, bold capital letters and with the stern faces of John O’Shea and Robbie Brady staring out.

Neither will be key men tonight.