Shay Given will be 34 when the 2010 World Cup comes knocking, so there's no need reminding him how important qualification will be next time around.
As one of Europe's top goalkeepers it grates with him how he has featured in only one major finals and the next campaign could well be his last.
He has a first-hand view of the potential in this squad but
finds it deeply frustrating that another prize has gone begging.
Youngsters like Shane Long and Andy Keogh talk of a disappointing
campaign but they've a decade to right those wrongs. Given doesn't
have that luxury. Still, he points no finger of blame at any one
individual, least of all manager
Steve Staunton whom he champions for the road ahead.
"I think Stan is learning as he goes along, as all managers do," says the Newcastle goalkeeper. "It's a learning curve for Stan and everyone. We've got to give him time to get it right. He deserves great credit for the players he has brought in. He had to bring them in as other players were retiring. It's not been easy, but he's trying to get the right mix of old and young."
Transitional periods are frustrating by their nature. The manager's four-year plan is all well and good but supporters live on a match-by-match basis. They're an impatient bunch and live for the here and now. At Staunton's unveiling, European qualification was touted as a bonus to unearthing diamonds with South Africa in mind. But Germany aside, there was nothing remarkable about Ireland's group opponents. The squad has failed to embrace the challenge and that irks Given.
"One of the highlights of my career was playing at the World Cup in 2002. It's frustrating not to be playing in every finals as that's what you want to do as a player," he adds. "We're in a tough spell with a lot of players having moved on and retired and new lads coming in. It takes time for them to bed in. We're impatient, we want results yesterday. It's a case of getting a happy balance.
"But we haven't done well enough to qualify and there's no nice way of putting it or wrapping it up. We just haven't played well enough to get to the finals. I think we should have qualified more than we have done in the last few campaigns. If you look at the players, then we should be qualifying. And if you look at the teams that are going to be there next summer, it's frustrating to think we're not."
"Our away form has let us down, we've not picked up enough points on the road. Cyprus and Slovakia are two games that stand out because of disappointing results. Although, our home form has been pretty good. Deep down we all wanted to qualify for the European championships, not just the World Cup. But hopefully we're getting there and going in the right direction."
While fresh faces have peppered Staunton's squad selections, older players continue to play their hand too. Lee Carsley has indicated a willingness to trudge on, Kevin Kilbane will mull over his options this winter while injury-plagued Stephen Carr could well hang up his green boots having just returned from retirement.
Given, though, is unaware of impending departures.
"I can't speak on the players behalf but every player is different. Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes, players like that retired young. But I don't know if they [Irish team-mates] have really sat down and thought too much about it. Perhaps after this campaign they'll have a think about it. But no-one I'm aware of has actually said they'll jack it in."
With two games still to play, Given insists the team won't be giving up on this campaign just yet. The Czechs require just a single point from their remaining three games to secure the group's final ticket. He knows qualification is gone and third spot offers little consolation, although even that is not guaranteed. But he holds hope for the future.
"This campaign at lot of new players have come in and lots of Irish fans wouldn't have seen them play before," he says. "They had to grow up pretty quick and learn international football as quick as possible. Hopefully that will stand us in good stead ahead of the next campaign."
