Captain Kenny delighted with Irish youth

Irish captain Kenny Cunningham admits he has been impressed by the Republic of Ireland’s current crop of youngsters.

With his team playing four friendlies in nine days, Ireland boss Brian Kerr gave several young players the chance to stake a claim ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

It meant the likes of Stoke defender Clive Clarke and QPR winger Martin Rowlands enjoyed a first taste of international football, while Celtic’s teenage prodigy Aidan McGeady was also given a run out in last night’s 1-0 win over Jamaica in the Unity Cup.

Ireland now play their final friendly against Holland in the Amsterdam Arena before the summer break.

“Some of the younger players have really made an impression this past week,” said Cunningham.

“The more experienced players were looking at them in training and it makes us very optimistic for our chances in the future to see the development of these younger players.

“They have made the manager aware of the qualities they possess and if he needs to call upon them in the future I am sure they won’t let him down.

“Alan Maybury looked settled and I thought Clive Clarke was excellent on his two appearances and took to international football like a duck to water.

"It was also nice to see Aidan McGeady get his international debut and hopefully he has a long future ahead, and the same goes for Martin Rowlands and Alan Quinn - hopefully we’ll reap the benefits in the future.”

Cunningham was rested for last night’s match but will return to face Holland as Kerr hopes to field as strong a line-up as possible.

The recent run of friendlies has been valuable too for Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid, who is gradually settling into international football and looks likely to figure when the campaign to reach Germany 2006 begins in September.

Reid said: “It’s always very nice to play international games and with all the injuries and withdrawals from the squad there is a chance for a few people who are not yet established to stake a claim for when the World Cup qualifiers come around.

“I started the game against Brazil and I don’t think you can get bigger than that, but I am really looking forward to pitting myself against some of the best players in the world if I am given the chance to play (against Holland).

“I feel a lot more relaxed going into every game now. The lads have been great with me since I came in, they have all helped me along and I am very grateful for that. It is just a case of me doing my best every time I get a chance play.”

Reid is tipped for a move to the Premiership, but insisted he did not know if there had been any developments yet.

He added: “I don’t know what is happening with Forest, I haven’t been at the club for three weeks so I don’t know if there have been any offers for me.”