Kilbane fears more Cyprus hell

Republic of Ireland defender Kevin Kilbane is determined not to allow Cyprus to ruin his qualification dreams once again.

Kilbane and his team-mates face another tricky away trip to meet a nation which has proved something of a nemesis in the recent past on September 5 with their hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa at stake.

Ireland did their chances of finishing at least second in Group Eight little harm with a hard-fought draw in Bulgaria on Saturday evening as they closed to within a point of leaders and reigning champions Italy and maintained a five-point lead over the third-placed Bulgarians, with both having a game in hand on Giovanni Trapattoni’s men.

However, there is a belief within the squad that they will have to win in Cyprus if they are to get above Italy, who visit Croke Park in October, and win the group.

That will be easier said than done, and Kilbane certainly does not need reminding of the 5-2 defeat in Nicosia which blew a hole in the Republic’s attempts to qualify for Euro 2008.

Asked if he is starting to get excited, he said: “No, definitely not. We have got a lot of football to play.

“We have got to play Italy, we have got to play Montenegro at home, but first and foremost, we have got to concentrate on the Cyprus game because we have slipped up too often there in the past.

“We have to win and certainly, we will go out to win in Cyprus now. It is a big, big game for us.”

Kilbane was one of the few members of the Irish team to leave Sofia with any regrets on a night when they turned in a brave performance.

Skipper Robbie Keane and central defender Richard Dunne, who produced an immense personal display, both played through the pain barrier with the Manchester City man having an injection in his knee just before kick-off.

It was he who headed the visitors in front with 24 minutes gone, and he who led the rearguard action as Bulgaria responded through Dimitar Telkiyski’s equaliser five minutes later, sparking a concerted fightback.

Kilbane was quick to acknowledge his error in allowing Telkiyski to run on to Ilian Tomasic’s long ball after he had told Sean St Ledger, starting his first competitive game for his country, he would deal with it.

The 32-year-old said: “I called to Sean and I just allowed it to come through me. I can’t really say what did happen, it was just a silly mistake and at this sort of level, you get punished.

“It was a good finish from the lad, but I was really disappointed from my own personal point of view.

“It’s a decent point for us, in all honesty. In the first half an hour of the game, we were creating chances and playing well.

“I am just really disappointed myself. I take full responsibility for it.”