Soccer International newsAt the height of his career Karl Malone, the veteran NBA star, became known to Utah Jazz fans as the "Mailman" because, they boasted, "he always delivered". Andy O'Brien may have become widely known among supporters as "Postman Pat" for somewhat different reasons, but his form for Ireland suggests the 25-year-old is steadily acquiring a reputation for the same sort of dependability on the big occasions.
At Newcastle, O'Brien has long been a first-team regular despite the lingering suspicion the club were always on the look-out for someone better. Bobby Robson clearly liked the one-time under-21 England international, but the arrival of Graeme Souness fuelled speculation that he would leave St James' Park, with Aston Villa the most likely destination.
The transfer window, however, came and went while O'Brien stayed put, and the former Bradford City player has made four first-team appearances in the past three weeks.
At international level, O'Brien made little secret of the frustration he felt over the amount of time it took to get his opportunity to prove himself in a competitive game. Last year, though, he firmly established himself as Brian Kerr's preferred choice to partner Kenny Cunningham in central defence, and with the team having conceded just one goal while he was on the pitch during the last 10 of his 18 caps to date it is looking increasingly likely he will be difficult to dislodge.
"Andy's had an excellent 12 months for us," observed Matt Holland in the wake of Wednesday's victory over Portugal. "He's a very unassuming character, he'd never be one to blow his own trumpet, but he's become a very big player for us now.
"He's strong in the air, very composed when in possession and fast over ground. Even though he's quiet, the fact that he has had someone like Kenny there to talk him through games has a had a big impact on his development. He has really grown into the role."
O'Brien may have been slightly flattered on Wednesday by his man-of-the-match award, for there were a few moments early in the first half when he came close to playing team-mates into trouble with careless passes. But he did well to stretch around Paulo Ferreira for the game's only goal and there was growing evidence as the match progressed of the understanding that he has developed with Cunningham.
Their form, and that of Shay Given, helps to explain how the Republic have conceded just six goals in their last 13 outings, with three coming against Nigeria when a seriously under-strength side was fielded in London.
Given averaged more than five hours of play per goal conceded during 2004, comfortably better than any other goalkeeper in European international football. It is, needless to say, the sort of foundation on which a team can construct an impressive run of results, and that is just what Kerr's side has done. The win in Holland and the draw in France probably stand out in what has been a good year.
"Brian showed us the statistics for 2004 and they were very good, but that's no surprise to us at this stage," says Holland. "We have a world-class goalkeeper and four very good defenders, with players in front of them that are prepared to work very hard for one another.
"But there's more to us than just being a defensive team. In players like Damien Duff and Andy Reid we have the ability to test other sides, to open them up, and what you've seen over the last year is that we're really getting the mix right at this stage.
"You just have to look at what we did to Portugal, who are one of the most creative sides in the world," he added. "After a shaky start we reduced them to a few shots from outside the area. That tells you a couple of things: that as a unit we're very organised, very hard to beat, and that there isn't really a team in the world at this stage that would like playing against us."
Next up, though, is Israel, for whom rising midfield star Yossi Benayoun was again on the scoresheet in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Croatia.
Avraham Grant's side has proved to be extremely difficult to beat in Tel Aviv, and after a good start to their group campaign the Israelis see the Ireland visit as a key test of whether they can seriously compete for a top-two finish.
Just how tough the trip will be, admits the Charlton midfielder, is something none of the Irish players have seriously considered yet, but the preparations will, he says, probably start before the end of this month.
"Being honest, I'd have to say that we don't know a whole lot about them right now, but over the next couple of weeks we'll all be getting a DVD in the post. Getting that bit of advance knowledge gives you an insight into what they do well and gives you a chance to prepare, so we feel we'll be ready for them by the time the game comes around."
