Managers' Reaction
Republic of Ireland 2 Czech Republic 1
For some reason the bandbox at Lansdowne Road felt lighter and roomier than usual last night. And it had nothing to do with the banning of the cigarette. Over the past month, there has been a sense that the Kerr era is announcing itself. First the taming of Brazil. And last night, the satisfaction of a moment of classic Robbie Keane thievery and a crashing end to the Czech Republic's 20-game unbeaten record.
Brian Kerr waltzed in, stood at the rear of the room, considered the plaudits as they were thrown at him and then answered in a voice that was hoarse. He looked tanned and a bit tired and the old twinkle in the eye has faded a little. But he was happy.
"Yeah, we played well - they are a very good team. You could see that individually they have excellent players. But I thought we deserved it. In some ways they are probably quite relieved that it has ended and now they can start again. But we are pleased to be the ones to have beaten them."
In the opposite corner of the room, Karel Bruckner was holding court at the appointed press table, briefing his audience on what losing the record felt like.
"It is probably sadder for the players," was the concise translation of the Czech coach's thoughts on the end of their distinguished streak. "It is something that you think about for two or three minutes after the game. It would be good if I could have another repeat of that run."
When the Czech eventually loped off into the evening, smiling and buttoning up his grey mac, Kerr made haste for the seat.
"I think I will sit down if ye don't mind. I'm feeling a bit tired." He was entitled to the break. It had been a busy evening and fun for the 42,000 in the crowd. This was hardly the the big-boned Ireland of eras past. Kerr, through a mixture of adventure and prudence and no other options, went for youth and silver feet and was rewarded handsomely for it.
The long-awaited appearance of Liam Miller was realised. Alan Maybury was given the full 90 minutes. Rory Delap, back after injuring an ankle at an Irish training session, was thrown in for good measure.
Ian Harte, freed from the worries at Leeds, celebrated with his first goal in two years, a precise and perfect free. And Damien Duff ran and danced like his life depended on it.
"I don't think that is any surprise though," reacted Kerr. "Maybe it is a surprise to some that it is a friendly game and Damien is involved in league matches but there has never been any question about his application or desire. But they were strong at the back and there was good service, it was good all round."
The Duffer was wrapped up early to tremendous applause and took the man of the match award over the loudspeaker which was fine but Robbie Keane also had one of his finest nights. Along with Clinton Morrison, the pair seemed determined to eclipse the Dutch team of 1974 for most back-heels in a single game. But some of the touches were a delight and Keane's winning goal - a classic poached strike from Alan Lee's combination of graft and daring - brought a smile to Kerr's face.
""Well, he is a very good player. I thought we saw the whole mixture of him tonight. Some of the stuff he did with Andy was just at a different level - amazing frame, tricky. But to come up with the goal - well. Yeah, he has 19 already and a few more years left in him and a few more goals to come."
As friendly games go, Kerr is making the utmost of the Irish series. Although his young team are missing out on the big adventure in Portugal, there is a sense that they are developing now at a pace that suits the manager. In a sense, not being there takes the pressure off.
"Of course it is - we are not finals so we concentrate on the next games we have until the qualification process. It is a gradual thing - some players are not fit and some players are starting to emerge.
"I think it is coming along nicely. The object of the games is to get a bit of a run going. We have to play the fresh faces to find out your best squad. We had seven players who might have been there but weren't and yet we were inventive at midfield and we matched them. Some of our football was top rate, ya know."
The best 90 minutes of the Kerr era? "Well, I don't know, " he sighs. " It is different in the friendly games. The Brazil game was good and the Czechs came here to have a go but I have to say some of our attacking stuff was great."
