RECOGNISING the need for radical surgery to the Republic of Ireland squad, the infusion of young blood continues apace against the Portuguese tonight. The inclusion of David Connolly and Gareth Farrelly takes to six the number of debutants Mick McCarthy has played in his first three games as manager.
Though generally diplomatic and circumspect in his comments relating to the regime of his predecessor and friend Jack Charlton, McCarthy made a telling observation after the Anfield play-off defeat to Holland. When someone suggested it was a case of men against boys, he commented that it was more an example of boys against men.
It's funny to think now that McCarthy's initial squad for the Russian game was more or less the same as Jack Charlton's last one. Nothing too radical at first then, but in it's own quiet way (the Keane saga excepted) this is becoming quite a revolution.
As is often the case, fresh faces have the additional spin-off effect of reviving some of the older guard. Even in McCarthy's decidedly gentle testimonial last Sunday, it was noticeable how much the plethora of young subs picked up the tempo, Kenny Cunningham, Davey Savage and David Connolly combining for the latter's goal.
McCarthy was first alerted to Connolly's goalscoring talents when the youngster scored four times in a youths game against Millwall when the former was manager at the New Den. McCarthy in turn notified then Irish under-21 manager Maurice Setters and though nothing came of that, McCarthy's memory was jogged by reports of Connolly's hat-trick eight weeks ago in Watford's 5-2 defeat of Port Vale.
Connolly's run of eight goals in six games almost enabled Watford to avoid relegation from the First Division but compensation came quickly in a scoring debut for the under-21s against the National League and swift pro motion to the senior squad.
He will celebrate his 19th birthday while in America. "Everything is falling into place for me at the moment. It's just great to be involved. Going to America means I'm not going to have much of a summer holiday but I'd rather be going there than somewhere else."
Having been sidelined for six months following an operation to remove a chipped bone from his ankle, Connolly says: "I can't help being injured. I can only play when I'm fit which didn't happen until the end of the season.
Born in Willesden, and taken on to Watford's books when he was 11, Connolly's Irish bona fides cannot be questioned. His mother hails from Leitrim and his Galway-born father took him to Croke Park on many a Sunday, the highlight being the Galway hurlers' All-Ireland final win over Kilkenny.
It's every player's ambition to play for their country and I'm no different in that respect. This opportunity is another dream come true for me."
Similar sentiments were expressed by the 20-year-old Farrelly yesterday after the inevitable call-up for the highly regarded midfielder. From the Navan Road, this Home Farm protege joined Aston Villa three seasons ago, but his progress was hampered by a recurring back problem which sidelined him for the best part of 18 months. "It was a frustrating time for me but this makes up for the bad times.
Though Ron Atkinson was the then Villa manager, Farrelly singles out the youth development officer Dave Richardson for his encouragement.
Another bound for America, Frrelly is also resigned to curtailing his summer holidays. But I don't mind. I wouldn't change places with anyone.
Farrelly was one of the drenched spectators in Lisbon when Portugal condemned the Republic to a fruitless play-off with a 3 0 win last November. "The Portuguese are a bit like Liverpool in the way they play. They re a nice, neat passing side with quick strikers. It will be a great test for me.
