Brady buoyed by Italy's southern retreat

Liam Brady is convinced the Republic of Ireland have got world champions Italy worried simply because of their choice of venue for Wednesday night’s qualifier.

The Irish squad headed off from Dublin this afternoon for the Group Eight clash with the Italians at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari having conceded a two-point lead to Marcello Lippi’s men as a result of their 1-1 draw with Bulgaria at Croke Park on Saturday evening.