Kerr's rallying cry to fans

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr is demanding the “madness” which descended on the Stade de France on Saturday help turn Lansdowne Road into an equally intimidating venue.

A record travelling support of more than 30,000 Irish supporters roared their idols to a goalless draw against France in the World Cup qualifier in Paris on Saturday, helping Ireland achieve their best result under Kerr since he took charge 20 months ago.

Kerr admitted the sight and sound of ‘the green army’ made him feel very emotional during the Group Four clash.

And he would now like to see the same passion and fervour for the Republic’s home games, starting with Wednesday’s visit of group minnows the Faroe Islands.

It is not the first time Kerr has had a bone to pick with the home faithful as he said: “The passion and desire was there in the game on Saturday from everyone, in particular the supporters who definitely helped inspire the players.

“We need to have that in home games as well. We need to transfer that madness, I would call it, in our supporters into our home games.

“We need all that colour at Lansdowne Road to make it a much more intimidating venue for every team.

“You could say it has to come naturally from the supporters. Well it came naturally the other night, and now I would like it to come naturally at our place as well.

“Whether the same people travel to the away games, I don’t know, but the support the other night and the fervour was really, really impressive.

“At home games we are waiting for it, although I know we [the team] have to make it happen as well.”

Whether Kerr gets such support will depend on how Ireland start the game because should they come out flat following all the euphoria generated against France, then the fans will also be lacklustre.

But Kerr is confident he will get the right response from the players, adding: “I’ve an experienced group who are very professional.

“They realised it was an achievement on Saturday, but today they have trained well and there hasn’t been too much talk of Paris.

“It’s done now, so let’s move ahead, be on the ball for Wednesday for a game in which the best approach will be to mix it up and not be too predictable in the way we play.

“We need to come out and play with a high tempo as we did in our first match against Cyprus [Ireland winning 3-0].”

Kerr, though, is wary of the Faroes who started their campaign with a 6-0 thrashing in Switzerland, but who were unfortunate to lose 2-0 at home to France before a 2-2 draw on Saturday in Cyprus, where they were just seven minutes away from a famous win.

“I’m surprised they lost the way they did in the first game to Switzerland, but there were a few problems for them that day,” said Kerr.

“I spoke to [manager] Henrik Larsen recently in Stockholm and he told me it was very hot that day in Switzerland and it was a big issue.

“We can hardly turn up the heat in ecological terms, but I hope we make up for it in every other way.

“They were unlucky against France. They gave them a right game. I watched a video of the game last night and they had plenty of chances, while both French goals should have been ruled offside.

“Then in Cyprus they drew 2-2 with a late goal from Cyprus to equalise. It was another good performance and a decent result, so we have to respect them.”

Kerr is definitely without Clinton Morrison after a scan today showed cartilage damage to his left knee, sustained late in the first half of the game in Paris.

Morrison had stated he would stay in Dublin to cheer on his team-mates, but Kerr said: “He will return to Birmingham City immediately for treatment on the injury at the club.”

Suggestions Roy Keane would miss the game with a knee injury have been allayed after the Manchester United midfielder trained for the majority of today’s session.

Full-backs Stephen Carr and John O’Shea have ankle and groin knocks, but both should be fit to take on the Faroes.