I honestly feel Mick McCarthy could have chosen an entirely different 11 and still beat Andorra comfortably tonight. It is difficult to communicate just how appallingly bad our visitors are. Their presence in this competition irritates me, to be honest, because they are among the most limited international sides in the world and their sole ambition is to keep the score down.

It really doesn't matter who plays this evening because there is nothing to be gleaned from the game. Ireland will win, maybe by three, maybe by seven. The key to the final scoreline is how quickly Ireland manufacture the first goal. An early strike and the Andorrans are likely to capitulate and after that, it becomes target practice.

Mick McCarthy will have the most difficult task in Lansdowne Road tonight in trying to motivate the players sufficiently. Even if they go out with the best will in the world the paucity of the opposition is bound to have some sort of effect on them. And with their outfield 10 stacked behind the ball, it can become awkward if there has not been a goal after half an hour. So from that perspective, an early goal would be nice.

The return of Mark Kennedy will bring us depth on the wing, with Kevin Kilbane also keen and adept at getting behind the back four. Kennedy's reinstatement is proof positive the incident of last September is dead and buried; he has learned from it and ought to grasp this chance. I wouldn't read too much into his selection and doubt he will start the next game. But he offers the manager more options.

Potentially, the most serious selection dilemma is up front. The availability of Niall Quinn for both Holland and Portugal has to be doubtful at this stage and it is not unrealistic to envisage Gary Doherty partnering Robbie Keane in attack for those pivotal matches. The only other viable option is Keane and David Connolly. Doherty's more robust style - he is big, throws himself about and is wholeheartedly honest - will be more suited to Keane's game than the undeniably subtle qualities Connolly brings to an attack. It will be hard to adequately replace Quinn but Doherty looks the best alternative. The pity is he couldn't get a run against more meaningful opposition tonight.

I think I could assemble 11 players from the press box that would beat Andorra. I am almost tempted to bring a book to the game, it will be such an nonevent.

It's as well in a way Roy Keane isn't here this evening. We don't need him to beat this side and it eliminates the worry he might acquire a second yellow card. Anyway, I doubt Roy wants to be anywhere near a football right now. His tackle at the weekend was inexcusable and totally out of character with the player we watched all season. It was unfortunate and will be perceived by many as Keane reverting to type. But Roy will reflect on it; he knows it was foolish and I believe he will view it as an embarrassing footnote to a strong season.

The likes of Mattie Holland, Doherty, Connolly and now even Richard Dunne should nonetheless regard this as an opportunity to keep them in the forefront of Mick McCarthy's thoughts. The unfortunate thing is no matter how brightly they play, it has to be balanced against the general uselessness of the Andorrans. All that can be said about this match is we have to win it, and we will.

Holland will also expect a win against the Cypriots this evening and there will be much attention on Ruud Van Nistelrooy now that Manchester United have finally secured his services. Alex Ferguson's brother Martin has seen the Dutch striker more often that any other scout in Europe. They know precisely what they are getting. He is both technically versatile and a bread-and-butter goal taker. His arrival does not necessarily signal the end for any of the current United strike-force. I think they have yet to decide on who is best suited to partner him. My own belief is it could be Dwight Yorke.

But before Van Nistelrooy opens his strike account for his new club, he has some business to do for his country. We will have a chance to witness his array of talents at close range before too long. Before that great occasion, the Irish players have to plod positively through this unenviable yawn.

In an interview with Keith Duggan