Road to Euro 2012
Republic of Ireland fans would have been rightly disappointed not to qualify for Euro 2012. Not the kind of "how did no one see that handball" disappointment that affected their last attempt to get to a major tournament, but underwhelmed nonetheless. Their team was handed a dream of a qualifying draw, and yet their home defeat against Russia, a match in which they were caught cold and never recovered, put them under pressure throughout the campaign. Ireland showed commendable stoicism to finish second, only two points behind Russia, and were good enough to get a 0-0 draw in Moscow last September. They drew twice against Slovakia, and worryingly conceded goals against Andorra, Macedonia and Armenia. The Armenians are a good side, but the one aspect of a match that you expect Giovanni Trapattoni to get absolutely right would be the defensive one. Still, seven goals conceded was ultimately impressive, as was their dismissal of Estonia in the playoffs. This is a team that may be short on brilliance, but has to be respected.
The Manager
The remarkable autumn of Trapattoni's career will continue long beyond Euro 2012. He has recently signed a new contract which takes him to the end of the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup and the glint in his eye remains: this is a man who has had plenty of success and wants more. His commitment to an international job doesn't feel, as it did with Fabio Capello for example, as if it's merely a lucrative pension. That said, Trap's record at international level doesn't stand up to his achievements with clubs. He has won 20 major honours, including Serie A seven times, but only got to the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup with Italy, and then failed to get out of the Group Stage at Euro 2004. I wonder if the rapid turnover of a major tournaments suits his cerebral style. Expect safety first football and inscrutable press conferences, Jack Charlton with bells on.
The Star
He might have flattered to deceive at a whole host of clubs, and make his living now at the less rarefied level of the MLS, but Robbie Keane's performances during qualifying mean that only he can reasonably described as the Republic of Ireland's star. He scored seven times, with the next best total being the two goals of both Kevin Doyle and Aiden McGeady. Keane has always relished the responsibility of leading the line for his country, and is a better player in a green jersey than he ever has been at club level, where he can sometimes get swallowed up by bigger stars. You can't argue with his total of 53 international goals, and I certainly expect him to add to that at Euro 2012. Rock solid in the Republic of Ireland top goalscorer market, although his price will reflect that.
The Rock
Shay Given may be at the other end of his career to Joe Hart, but the Aston Villa man is just as important to the Republic as the man who displaced him at Man City is to England. Given's brilliance in the last few weeks kept Villa up, and his last minute save against West Brom was one of the most valuable in the club's history. He has to have a good tournament for Trap's team to have any chance of progressing. The oldest member of the squad is also its most important.
The Youngster
For all that I can try my best to be creative when selecting a young player to follow from each squad, a man who didn't even feature in a single Euro 2012 qualifying game seems certain to play a significant part in the tournament itself, and a swift rise from obscurity means that the whole country knows about him now. The late developing James McClean seems younger than he is, but at 23 he looks to have a massive career ahead. This time last year he was playing for Derry City in the League of Ireland Premier Division, but his Premier League return of six goals in 23 appearances was outstanding. McClean is powerful and has a mean eye for goal. If Keane were to disappoint, then he is a viable alternative choice as Republic of Ireland's tournament top scorer.
The Bet
Republic of Ireland are the outsiders to qualify from Group C at a gigantic 5.69/2. For all the quality of Spain and Italy, that still looks a big price, and even though there's a chance that they could fall short, work rate and tactical nous can take you a long way in a European Championship. The last time that they played Spain was in World Cup 2002 when the teams drew 1-1, but their recent head-to-head record against Italy and Croatia is good, and that form line gives them a chance. They drew 0-0 with Croatia in a 2011 friendly, and in the same year they beat Italy 2-0 in Liege. It's too much of a leap of faith to back them at 20.019/1 to win the group, but the price to qualify is too big, plain and simple, and I can't let them go unbacked.
What the Opta stats say:
This will be Ireland's second appearance in a Euro Championship finals tournament and their first since 1988.
No side scored more goals from set-piece situations than any Ireland in qualification (10), while this contributed towards half of their total (50%).
Of all the qualifiers, Ireland posted the worst passing accuracy rate in the qualification campaign (75%).
However, Ireland played the highest proportion of passes in the final third of the pitch in the qualifiers (38%).