SOCCER:It may just be that he took his media adviser's advice to "keep it brief" a little too literally but Steve Staunton's decision to speak at yesterday's pitch-side briefing after training in Malahide for just 32 seconds before ignoring questions and walking away appeared to signal a deterioration in his already difficult relationship with the press pack.

The Republic of Ireland manager was due to provide an update on any injuries to his players after which it is standard procedure for him to take questions from journalists on matters relating to the squad's preparations. However, when Staunton had finished telling reporters that Stephen Ireland had come through training well, suggested that Shay Given should be fit to face the Slovaks despite not training at all yesterday and jokily announced that he would not be discussing his approach to tomorrow night's game, he simply turned and walked back towards the team bus, leaving the assembled press corps a little baffled and bemused.

At just over half a minute long, Staunton's media briefing comfortably beat for brevity the 67 seconds given by the then Ireland manager Brian Kerr on the day of the national team's departure for Cyprus ahead of their World Cup 2006 qualifier in October 2005.

Relations between Kerr and most of those journalists who travelled disintegrated entirely over the days that followed. When Ireland failed to beat Switzerland at home a month later, and as a result failed to qualify for the tournament finals, his contract was not renewed by the FAI.

Staunton's behaviour is believed to have been prompted by a general sense of disillusionment with the tone of the media coverage in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 defeat of Wales at Croke Park.

Previously the recipient of scathing criticism in the wake of losses to The Netherlands and Cyprus as well as the narrow defeat of San Marino last month, the Louthman had clearly expected the situation to improve somewhat after what was, in terms of the opposition's world ranking at least, Ireland's best competitive result since the 2002 World Cup finals.

In fact, the reaction to the game was rather mixed with a number of commentators accepting that it marked an improvement on some of what had gone before, with the result a significant factor.

But others treated both the performance of Staunton and the majority of his players with derision.

The manager is due to face the media again at today's pre-match press conference which is scheduled to take place around noon at Croke Park.

It should become clearer then whether his behaviour yesterday was part of some new, premeditated shift in his dealings with his critics or simply the result of his irritation getting the better of him.

Also expected to take the stage under the Hogan Stand in the lead up to lunchtime today is Shay Given who, assuming he is officially declared fit to play tomorrow, will captain the side in the absence of suspended striker Robbie Keane.

"I know there is an argument about keepers being skippers," says FAI Technical Director, Packie Bonner, whose record of 80 international appearances for an Irish goalkeeper Given will equal if he plays, "but Dino Zoff did it very successfully and won the World Cup with Italy and Peter Schmeichel did it for Denmark. Shay has all the qualities to be a very successful captain.

"There is no question of his confidence, concentration levels, agility, quickness and ability to make vital saves in games. He also has all the attributes to be a successful captain. He is the type of character who would thrive on that responsibility. He is the perfect age to show those leadership qualities."

Bonner believes that at a time when Staunton has been working to bring through younger outfield players, his fellow Donegalman has both the stature and the personality to exert a positive influence on those around him.

"He seldom makes mistakes," says the former Celtic player, "in fact they are so rare you could probably remember them all, so he can influence players around him.

"He has the standing in the squad. He is a terrific influence on the younger outfield players and the other goalkeepers who look up to him and want to learn from him. And he probably has the ability to get another 40 caps. He has already achieved a huge amount as a young man and he is still relatively young in goalkeeping years. I am delighted for him."

Gone in 32 seconds: Staunton's briefing in full

"Just to let you know, Shay Given did not train. He's a wee bit sore but no problems for the game on Wednesday night.

"Stephen Ireland trained so we'll wait and see whether there's any reaction in the next couple of hours, hopefully not. He trained well. I'm delighted but as I say we won't know until we get back to the hotel.

"And you'd probably love me to go into the strategy for the game on Wednesday night but you'll understand why I can't do that now. Thanks."