IN HIS customary post-match monologue Giovanni Trapattoni admitted he could be a “little bit happy but not too much” after his side beat World Cup hopefuls Paraguay 2-1 at the RDS last night.

It seems, like the rest of us, the manager is still smarting a little on the eve of the big occasion, perhaps haunted by thoughts of what could have been, but the Italian was satisfied nonetheless that his players are still showing hunger after a long and ultimately disappointing campaign.

“We are disappointed not to be in South Africa, but life goes on and you have to forget the past. We must remember our performance but move forward for the European Championships.

“Our group is a good one and if we continue in the same way and believe in our possibilities we have this new opportunity. We can aspire to qualify.”

He has been at pains to remind the players of their achievements against the box-office names of world football.

“I reminded the team we are a good side before the match. We watched clips of the games against Italy, France and Brazil. I reminded them that we could be in South Africa. But doing it in the past is not enough.

“We must continue to do that. I am pleased because the team listened to me and went on to the pitch with this mentality.”

As has become common practice, Trapattoni was again quick to praise the contribution of Kevin Doyle, after the Wolves striker scored one and made the other.

“I have a very high opinion of Kevin,” said the manager. “I knew when I came in as manager two years ago he was a good young striker. Now, he is not only one of the best in England but also the best in Europe. I think he showed me and you this in this game.

“Playing as a striker is difficult position on the pitch. Sometimes they are alone and we always look for a goal from them.

“It’s not always possible to score a goal, but, even so, they are important for the team. They take the ball, hold onto it and they allow the team to come forward.That is a fantastic part of Kevin’s game, he does it very well and he and Robbie Keane work well very together. They complement each other.”

The man himself was modest as ever afterwards, although most of all, it seemed, he was relieved just to be within one match of the summer holidays.

“It was a decent performance by us and against a team that’s going to the World Cup, one that will have been very well prepared coming into this game,” he said, before pleading ignorance in relation to questions about a possible move to Arsenal.

“His tireless performance last night was just the sort of thing that is said to have caught the eye of Arsene Wenger, while his goal had put Ireland firmly on course for the victory. However, he took a hefty knock as he turned the ball home and it had looked briefly as though he might not be able to carry on. “It was sore alright, but it’s one of those things, seeing the ball go in is all that matters. Once the adrenalin rush kicks in after you score for your country, the pain goes away and I was grand after a few minutes.”

It was, he reckoned, a good night all round with Trapattoni getting both the win he had wanted and the chance to look at a few new players.

“Yeah,” Doyle said with a laugh, “three new caps (Cillian Sheridan, Keith Fahy and Paul Green); the manager doesn’t hand them out too lightly.

“The lads who do get them usually deserve them and I think the three tonight all did well. Hopefully it’ll be the start of something very good for them.

As for Friday, and the game against Algeria, the striker said that it would be good to mark the end of what has been a very good, but very long, campaign with another home win.

“I’m looking forward to it. The end of the season, the very last game, of course I am. Hopefully, we can play as well as we did tonight. If we do that and maybe get another couple of goals then we can all go away for the summer break happy.”