But Kerr spent the eve of the game answering awkward questions about Roy Keane, and Damien Duff and Robbie Keane were injured. Portents of things to come.

MICK McCARTHY Lost to Russia 0-2 Dublin, 27/3/96 Notable for a few little nuggets. National saviour Shay Given made his debut at 19 and Roy Keane was tossed the armband for the first time when Andy Townsend got sent off for "kicking some Russian" (his words).

Mostovoi and Kolyvanov breached a defence that read Phelan, Kernaghan, McGrath, Staunton and the man Stan missed a pen. All in all, we'll take Given's introduction as the bright spot.

JACK CHARLTON Lost to Wales 0-1 Dublin, 26/3/86 We know all about the fiasco that led to Big Jack's arrival.

Legend has it that Mick Byrne picked the team, Jack got a little confused with names and he simply didn't know who Pat Byrne (Shamrock Rovers) was. Ian Rush hit the only goal. Still, Ray Houghton and John Aldridge made their debuts . . . what Joey O'Brien and Kevin Doyle would give to reach those heights.

EOIN HAND Lost 0-1 to Argentina Dublin, 16/5/1980 Hand took over and went straight into a meeting with the World Cup holders.

Maradona and Passarella played for the Argies but Hand was missing Stapleton, Brady and Lawrenson. All in all, 1-0 doesn't seem too bad.

JOHNNY GILES Beat Poland 1-0 Dublin, 21/10/73 Giles was still togging out with Leeds at the time. Miah Dennehy grabbed the goal over a Polish team who'd knocked England out of the World Cup a few days earlier.

LIAM TUOHY Lost to Austria 0-6 Linz, 10/10/71 The only manager who started with a qualifier. This game fell the day after a full English league programme, so Tuohy had to pick 10 home-based players. Damien Richardson came on as sub.

MICK MEAGAN Drew 1-1 with Scotland Dublin, 21/9/69 Ireland's first game with a manager was a friendly at Dalymount . . . before this a committee picked the team.

Don Givens scored for Ireland. Meagan wouldn't enjoy a win in eleven subsequent outings.

Barry O'Donovan