A first victory by more than a single goal since the genial Italian too charge (3-0) over Algeria at the RDS last Friday evening brought the curtain down on the most frustrating of Irish campaigns for some time.
The dying embers of our hatred of Monsieur Henry is set to be re-ignited in the coming weeks’ when we have to sit on our arses and wallow in self-pity into our pints as we witness France taking part in South Africa 2010. All the shouting and gesticulating at the television screens will do little to appease the anger and resentment of Irish fans but the previous two friendly internationals at least brought some hope to conclude the international campaign.

Granted the opposition were poor and likely saving themselves from injury whilst playing with the handbrake on ahead of their World Cup assignments. Yet overall, the positive Irish performances, introduction of some welcome new faces and the establishment of Kevin Doyle as a quality international striker make for hopeful reading ahead of our 2012 European Championship qualifiers in September.

Kieran Westwood, Paul Green, Keith Fahey and Greg Cunningham each earned their international debuts over the past week and look set to feature in Trapattoni’s squads for the foreseeable future. Westwood will remain the Irish number two once Shay Given returns from injury but did all that was asked of him over the 180 minutes game time he received. A little shaky when coming for crosses aside, Westwood gained valuable experience playing behind an Irish back four he is likely to encounter again if Given fails to heal properly in time for the qualifiers.

Greg Cunningham looked assured in his performances also but may need to leave Manchester City either on loan or permanently to acquire regular first team football in the coming season(s).  Keith Fahey also caught the eye when introduced in the Paraguay game and if the Birmingham midfielder can repeat his impressive 2009-10 campaign then he should become a mainstay in any 30 man Irish squad.
Derby County’s Paul Green proved the real ‘find’ of the season’s final international get together and capped an impressive fortnight’s work with a diving header for his first international goal. Green looked as productive as Glenn Whelan usually does in the centre of the park for Ireland and should prove a useful asset to Trapattoni.

The quality of the recent Irish performances was also welcome with the attacking inter-play of Duff, Lawrence, Keane and Doyle producing some dazzling football. True, Paraguay and Algeria’s defences pale into comparison with what lies ahead in our Euro campaign but Lawrence and Duff looked menacing every time they got on the ball in our opponent’s half and that will be the minimum requirement for Ireland in the coming months.

Keane and Doyle are cemented as the first choice strike partnership for Ireland now but while the replacements on show in May are paper-thin (Shane Long and Cillian Sheridan) the intuitive inter-play between the Spurs and Wolves front-men suggests good days ahead. Both strikers will need to be playing regularly and in-form if the Republic of Ireland is to emerge from their group and qualify for Euro 2012 but the hunger, passion and most importantly eye for goal displayed by each in the back to back victories over Algeria and Paraguay bodes well.

Kevin Doyle’s terrific 2009-10 season came to a close with a well taken goal against Paraguay. Wolves’ star striker demonstrated his vast array of skills in the RDS double-header last week and will be on his way to bigger club in the Premier League.

Ireland will look to Doyle to lead the line ahead of the 2012 qualifiers and with Keane playing off him and the Lawrence / Duff tandem providing the ammunition he has every chance of finishing out top scorer. Doyle’s ability to hold up the ball as well as his aerial prowess provides Trapattoni’s attack with a crucial lynchpin. Whatever about losing Given, Dunne or even Duff, Kevin Doyle has now become the one player we can’t do without for even a short period of time if we are to qualify.

Ger McCarthy is author of the book entitled ‘Off Centre Circle’, available on Amazon, which chronicles the curious life of an amateur Irish football player.