Defensive lapses should not obscure signs of promise

THIS could become repetitive, and maybe it already is, but then so he it. What this second defeat under Mick McCarthy underlined is that his reborn Republic of Ireland are bound to have their teething problems.

The hope is that the score lines don't become too repetitive but, for the hell of it, let's take the couple of irritating defensive lapses in isolation. When you do that, the result cannot fully camouflage further, stronger, shoots of encouragement amid an even more frustrating defeat.

As with the Russians last month, the Irish were pretty much a carbon copy of their Czech counterparts in what was another straight match up around the park. The outcome, 2-0, matched up too, but far from requiring an hour to come to terms with themselves, the Republic settled into their rhythm from the start.

An interval lead wouldn't have flattered them in the slightest, as a shot tally of 10 to 2 in favour of the boys in green testifies. Alas, here again the recurring problems in front of goal inherited by McCarthy regardless of systems, coaching methods or personnel were manifest.

However, the Irish retained the ball and played with a general confidence and self belief which has not been apparent since before the nadir of the Charlton reign in the summer of last year. Admittedly some of the defensive scares emanated from lapses while in possession but generally this fledgling Irish team worked the flanks, turned the Czechs and created chances with increasing regularity.

Body language on and off the pitch, as much as performances, suggests that the players, more than anyone, appreciate the change in emphasis to mainstream European thinking.

All the while, newcomers are being blooded with considerable promise for the future. The 13 players employed here contained three more debutantes, a couple of teenagers and six players who boasted the grand total of 14 caps between them.

What's more, one player (Mark Kennedy) has been consigned to the Pontins League this season, another (Alan Moore) has languished for half a season on the bench and another (Phil Babb) hadn't played in five weeks.

Kennedy again roved inventively much of the time. Still only 19, after all, he is a star in the making. Alas, Moore was patently short of match practice and, it perhaps followed, sufficient physical strength to compliment the ever willing Niall Quinn who won't be including the truly awful, pedantic German referee Mr Strampfe on his summer postcard list.

Unfortunately, in the case of Babb it also showed, and he was the first to say mea culpa (or something like that) after a nervy, insecure display. Otherwise the three man system didn't look at all bad. Paul McGrath was, well, Paul. Kenny Cunningham was polished in his own unfussy way, quickly getting into the pace of the game and tight on his man.

Jeff Kenna was equally solid on the right flank and a fitter Denis Irwin explored the opposition territory more than he has been doing, once clearly meriting a penalty when reaching the Czech bye line, as did McGrath when blatantly shoved in the home area.

Irwin gave way at the interval due to a calf injury sustained when brilliantly covering up for Babb with a crunching, goal saving tackle. Cue Curtis Fleming and the Ballybough shuffle for a half. Another two caps will continue his invaluable educational process and net St Patrick's the final £20,000 in their £100,000 deal with Middlesbrough five years ago. St Patrick's can do no wrong right now.

All along Mick McCarthy has said that if likely lads emerge front these demanding friendlies and a recognisable, cohesive blend is developed, they will have been, worth it. The shining gem of the day, however, was one of the ever green boys in green.

Working alongside the industrious Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton appeared positively Strachanesque in the way he or chest rated the proceedings with his acute foot balling brain. Similarly, at 34 and perhaps heading back to the Premiership with Crystal Palace, the rejuvenated Houghton is talking of playing on until he reaches 40.

A re-incarnation as a central midfielder explains the club revival, but undoubtedly, as with McGrath, this system will extend his international career. It's not just that younger men might have the legs on him out wide. The previous style demanded leg power regardless of position, thus he was increasingly surplus to Jack Charlton's requirements.

After one of his expertly timed forward runs (hardly one was wasted) it was interesting to see him amble back to midfield as the Irish played keep ball at the back. That may not always have been permitted in times past, but it all means he can keep going longer, in every sense.

Nor did the new way impinge on some good old put gem under pressure" play despite Mr Strampe's best efforts to stamp out tackling. (At one point the free tally was the exact opposite of the first half shot tally). More committed in the tackle early on, patient from the back, interchanging and dove tailing nicely in midfield, initially the Irish undid some of their good approach play with wayward halls in the final third.

Gradually that changed, and though the suspicion lurked that the Czechs were taking this friendly like most continental teams do (with a pinch of salt) there was no doubting who was the better side.

A couple of Quinn headers either side of one by Repka signified the upbeat tempo in tune with the incessant seat banging (enough to literally do your head in) of a 6, 118 crowd. Soon the small Irish contingent could be heard.

Irwin and Kennedy combined to sweetly play in Houghton, the impressive Kouba saving bravely. Aside from the couple of legitimate penalty claims and Irwin's tackle on Drulak, McGrath and Kennedy were denied in turn by the Czech goalkeeper and the covering Kadlec before McGrath lying on his side shot wide.

Good old Route One saw Quinn head on Shay Given's long punt for Townsend to extract a fine finger tip save from Kouba with a meaty 25 yard volley.

No goals though, and no reward. Babb sewed the seeds of defensive uncertainty with a careless square pass, Given cleaning up the mess by saving from the tireless Berger. Six minutes later Babb was drawn out by Kuka, who left the Irish defender for dead when spinning onto Bejbl's return pass, before drawing Given and teeing up Frydek to open the scoring.

Another eight minutes on and the game was up. Again, there was an even stronger hint of offside as Kuka ran on to Hapal's through ball when the Irish pushed up in a line before rounding Given to score the second. Still the use of the offside trap does seem to waste the spare man at the back.

A minor gripe. All in all, the positives outweighed the negatives, beyond which the result was secondary. Yes, I know, it's repetitive.