This is the be-all and end-all, says Whelan

When Glenn Whelan ‘retired’ from international football, a stop watch rather than a gold watch would have been a more appropriate gift. Because, of course, he didn’t retire at all.

Instead, when given the opportunity by Mick McCarthy, he promptly resumed putting in the hard yards in the green shirt to such prodigious effect that, yesterday, the manager had no qualms about confirming in advance that the 35-year-old midfielder will earn his 91st cap when he starts against Denmark tonight.