Hunt: We can be heroes

Stephen Hunt has urged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to grasp the chance to become national heroes by qualifying for Euro 2012.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will bring an end to a long season against Macedonia on Saturday night looking for a victory in Skopje which would maintain their challenge for qualification from Group B.

Ireland have not reached the finals of a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, and have suffered a number of near misses since to leave both the players and the fans desperate to end their wait.

Wolves midfielder Hunt said: “We will always be an average team until we qualify, and then we could be heroes if things go well.

“We will sort ourselves out, look ahead to Macedonia and take it from there.

“It will be very competitive. They kicked lumps out of us at our place, so it will be competitive, and they are at home, so it will be difficult, but we are looking to win it.”

The Republic edged a physical encounter at the Aviva Stadium in March 2-1 with skipper Robbie Keane’s strike once again proving decisive.

Keane took his international tally to 49 with three goals in last week’s Carling Nations Cup wins over Northern Ireland and Scotland, and will run out in Macedonia looking to reach a significant landmark.

Potential strike partner Shane Long did not train with his team-mates in Malahide this morning after playing in Reading’s 4-2 npower Championship final defeat by Swansea at Wembley yesterday.

Long partnered Keane in the first game between the countries after Kevin Doyle limped off with a nasty knee injury, and was left with stitches in his head and ear after a bruising contest with defender Boban Grncharov.

John O’Shea, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Kilbane did all train, however, after joining up following their club commitments, while Sean St Ledger was also put through his paces following a knee injury, although midfielder Darron Gibson is out with a groin problem, much to Trapattoni’s annoyance.

Darren O’Dea lined up in central defence for Sunday night’s 1-0 win over Scotland, which clinched the Carling Nations Cup for his country, and with stalwart Richard Dunne suspended, is one of those vying for a start in Skopje.

He started the first game and as a result, knows how tough a game the return will be.

However, like Hunt, he will go into it intent on only one outcome.

O’Dea said: “In every game, you go out to win. We need to win. It’s going to be a tough task, but we will give it our best.

“We’ve got about four or five days now before the game and we will be preparing for that and hopefully we can get the right result.”

Ireland are currently in third place in their group, but level on 10 points with leaders Slovakia and Russia in second.

The Slovakians entertain pointless Andorra with the Russians hosting Armenia, who trail the top three by just two points, on Saturday, and O’Dea is well aware that the fight for a trip to the finals could go all the way to the wire.

He said: “It might, but all we can do is concentrate on Saturday and win that game. Then we go into our next game.

“The most important thing just now is Macedonia and we are all looking forward to it.”