Irish players promise to 'shake a few teams up' next summer

REACTION:SHAY GIVEN was the first to hark back to the good old days last night when he promised Ireland will "shake a few teams up" in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

Greeted on the pitch after the final whistle by radio presenter Tom Dunne, the goalkeeper said the team were happy to lift the nation’s spirits by securing a berth in a major tournament for the first time in a decade.

“We are very happy after a long 16 months – this means a lot,” said the Donegal man. “These are tough times for everyone in the country and this will give everyone a lift for a few weeks and months. We will shake a few teams up next summer – that’s for sure.”

He added afterwards it was extra special to qualify in Dublin for the first time ever.

“It feels a bit like it’s not sunk in yet. We had the heartache of France and today is very special. To do it in Dublin is very historic, never done before. We’ll look forward to the draw and all the fans can look forward to next summer.

“I think we can make an impact. Richard (Dunne) was quoted as saying we cannot just make up the numbers. We will go with great spirit and not too many teams will want to play us. The manager has instilled a lot of confidence and I think we can get some good results.”

Damien Duff, another veteran of the 2002 World Cup campaign, said it was “about time” they were heading back to the top table again.

“It’s an amazing feeling – it’s probably even better than (reaching the World Cup in) 2002 because time is running out for a few of us, so I suppose you appreciate it more now,” Duff said.

“It’s brilliant and it’s about time – 25 years since we’ve been to the Euros and 10 since we got to a major tournament.”

The 94-cap veteran, added: “I think I am going to enjoy this far more than the World Cup qualification 10 years ago. When we qualified the last time I was young and you think it is all ahead of you, you think it is going to happen every tournament.

“It sort of passes you by and I think that’s why this one means so much to me. I’ve had my share of injuries and you do start to think about the future so I will relish every minute of this.

“It will keep me going for some time now. I’ll take the anti-inflammatories, try to steer free of injury and look forward to Poland and the Ukraine next year.

“It’s not going to be easy. There are fewer teams in the Euros and it will be tough, but the great thing is that we are there now.”

After colliding with Glenn Whelan on Friday night in Tallinn, he was a doubt for last night, but he insisted he would never have let it pass him by.

“They were going to have to carry me out of that one, I was determined to play, even though I was sore and taking injections in the build-up to the match,” added the 32-year-old.

“It means that much to me and I know it means that much to the fans and to the whole country. Times are tough, as we all know, and if we can give everyone a lift it will be great.

“It’s also important for football that we qualify. Everything about Lansdowne Road is to do with rugby. I love my rugby but we needed that win for football, we needed to qualify.”

Whelan wasn’t around when Mick McCarthy’s team reached the second round in Japan and Korea, but after tasting the bitter end of a play-off against France in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010 he was no doubt as to who he wanted. “France!”

We cannot be drawn with France, however, as we’re in the same pot as them.

The Stoke City midfielder welcomed the “unbelievable” achievement by Giovanni Trapattoni and his squad, but said it was slightly anti-climactic after the 4-0 win away in Tallinn virtually assured qualification.

“We set out our stall before the campaign started and got there now,” he said, “possibly the hard way but we got there.

“In the dressingroom now it’s not as excited as you might expect, because of the win over in Estonia . . . but it’s a massive achievement for all the players and everyone involved.”

For him personally, having grown up watching Ireland in tournaments as a fan, it’s a “dream”.

“It was dream for me just to get involved and get a first cap. For me, the highlight is to play for your country and possibly play in the Euros for second time ever – it’s great for me, my family and friends and everyone who supported me.