Taoiseach warns Spain are a tough side

The newly re-elected Taoiseach has said that Spain look like a formidable side and that it will be a difficult game for Mick McCarthy's side.

Nonetheless, Mr Ahern hopes that everybody in the country will watch the match and insists that above all it will be lively day for Irish people.

Speaking on television, he insisted that for such a small country the Irish squad had done magnificently by progressing to the last 16 in the World Cup.

However, the Taoiseach has admitted that Irish people have been considering what position Ireland would be in today if ex-skipper Roy Keane was in the squad.

Mr Ahern maintained that it had been a difficult time with the Roy Keane controversy. He conceded that the country had been separated in opinion when the controversy arose before the World Cup started.