Walters raring to go

Striker Jon Walters feels “blessed” as he prepares to launch himself into Euro 2012 battle.

The 28-year-old Stoke frontman is one of 20 players within Ireland’s 23-man squad who has not kicked a ball in the finals of a major tournament, but that situation for many will be remedied on Sunday evening when they open their Group C campaign against Croatia in Poznan.