Givens takes heart from improved display

Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Don Givens finally has a platform on which to build for the future.

Although the Republic ended their UEFA Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat to a strong, experienced Switzerland team at Shelbourne’s Tolka Park, there were many encouraging signs.

The team showed more than just heart and endeavour, which has never been lacking, as there were moments of quality that suggest come the start of the next qualifying rounds in 11 months’ time, there will be more to offer.

After a 3-0 victory over Cyprus to open their Group Four account, Ireland struggled, with confidence draining away with each poor result.

But the first green shoots of recovery were in evidence last night, despite falling to a 13th-minute strike from David Degen to extend their winless run to nine matches.

The team played more as a unit, creating the better chances over the 90 minutes, while there was a greater degree of communication between the players.

“We need that because it’s something young players don’t do enough of, but it’s a learning curve for them,” said Givens.

“Although you are never happy to lose, I’m as happy as I can be with a defeat because there’s something to build on now for the future.

“When you have two games back to back, the squad knits together. You are in for two days and then you play, but then the squad remains together and they continue to knit.

“You could see it in training, there was more of a bond. You could see the camaraderie develop in the hotel, and they are now more of a group. That’s what happens when you get a changeover.

“Although there have been some new players come in for these last two games and it’s a new squad, the longer we’ve gone on the more we have knitted together. So there is hope.”

Givens would have loved to have at least gained a point his team’s display deserved, but Joey O’Brien, John Fitzgerald, Stephen Ward, Jay Tabb, Aiden McGeady and Willo Flood all spurned chances.

“I thought our performance in France for the first 75 minutes was probably better, but it was a good one to finish up on, with a younger group of players,” added Givens.

“It’s a pity, with that performance, we didn’t finish with something because it merited it, but we didn’t get it so now we move on, with the Madeira Tournament in February.”