Soccer: As icy winds buffeted the Malahide coastline, there was no disguising the warm glow on Greg Cunningham's face as the Republic of Ireland squad went through a warm-down routine at a bitterly cold Gannon Park today.
They say it’s an ill wind that blows no good, but not so for the Galway man, as manager Giovanni Trapattoni handed the 22-year-old – his birthday was last Thursday - his fourth senior cap at left-back as Ireland prepare to face Poland in tomorrow night’s friendly at the Aviva Stadium (7.45pm). It comes almost two-and-a-half years after his last appearance against Norway in September 2010.
Derby striker Conor Sammon was another player celebrating after earning his senior debut for his country, partnering West Brom’s Shane Long in attack as Trapattoni prepares to take a look at some of the new faces in his squad.
However, one man who was not impressed with the Italian was Cunningham's fellow left-back and World Cup 2002 veteran Ian Harte, who branded the manager a ‘clown’ on Twitter and claimed the Italian did not know he was eligible for the team.
Harte said: “To all the people asking if I have retired from international football. no I haven't trap didn't even know I was Irish #whataclown.”
Harte has spoken out before against Trapattoni for ignoring his claims to a recall. In 2011, he said the manager did not know he was an Ireland player until he was informed by a member of the squad.
When asked about the incident at today’s press conference, Trapattoni’s response was succinct.
“We knew Ian Harte, we knew Ian very well. I don’t answer him because we have O’Shea, Ward and Cunningham. I didn’t answer him [in the past] because we had Kilbane.”
Harte is best known for a successful spell at Leeds United and his ability over a dead ball. He was capped 63 times, and scored 12 goals, but after today’s outburst, the 35-year-old is hardly likely to add to either tally.
A crowd in excess of 40,000 is anticipated for tomorrow’s game, with Ireland’s Polish community expected to turn out in force.
