Given offers hope to youngsters

Shay Given has told the Republic of Ireland’s young hopefuls that the next fortnight is their chance to play their way into manager Brian Kerr’s World Cup qualifying plans.

The Republic play four friendly internationals between now and June 5 against teams all ranked in the world’s top 50, starting against Romania at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night and culminating with a mouthwatering clash against Holland in Amsterdam.