SOCCER:ROBBIE KEANE will tonight become the third player this year and the fourth ever to reach the milestone of 100 senior caps for Ireland, with the Dubliner set to lead the team out against the same country that provided the opposition when he made his home debut as a teenager more than 12 years ago.

The 30-year-old’s actual debut had come a few weeks earlier in Olomouc where an experimental Irish side lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic. Mick McCarthy had no complaints about the result though, with the likes of Graham Kavanagh, Alan Maybury, Rory Delap and Damien Duff all joining Keane in getting their first chance to impress the Ireland boss.

The titles won during Duff’s spell at Chelsea give him an edge over his team-mate in terms of club success, but Keane has eclipsed the winger somewhat at international level with more consistent fitness allowing him to earn close to 20 more caps over the years and a knack for finding the net along the way ensuring a place in the record books for the former Wolves, Leeds and Tottenham striker.

After Keane had picked up his first Senior FAI Player of the Year award on Sunday evening, he was asked about the highlights of his career to date. Keane immediately mentioned the last-gasp equaliser against Germany at the World Cup in 2002, but in truth that was just one aspect of a memorable tournament from the Irishman, who was outscored by just five players, three of whom got to play a good deal more football over the course of the month.

Criticised at times for what is sometimes said to be an erratic contribution to the team, Keane has in fact cemented his reputation over the last few years as captain. Last year alone he scored five goals in 10 games, four of them in competitive matches with two of those coming against Italy and France in Bari and Paris respectively.

“I feel very fortunate to be joining a group that includes Shay, Kevin, Stan,” he said yesterday. You never think you’d reach 100 caps when you’re starting out; it’s such a long way away but then as it comes closer, it sort of comes into your sights.

“I still have that buzz and enthusiasm for the game. I always want to play for my country. You know me by now, over the years I never pulled out of squads for anything other than injuries when I’ve had to. I love coming back to play and that will never change. I feel I have a few more goals and caps left in me.”

Various family members will be at tonight’s game to witness his 100th appearance and his 15 -month-old son, also Robbie, will be a mascot while, he believes his father, who died seven years ago, will be looking on from afar.

“They (his family) will be there and they’re really looking forward to it. The little lad is going to be the mascot which is great. When you have a kid you always dream of them coming out onto the pitch with you, so for me it will be a special occasion.

“I was very close to my father,” he added, “but he can’t be here now as we all know. But I’m sure he will be looking down and will be very proud at what I have achieved in getting 100 caps. I’m sure he will be up there with a smile on his face.”