Keane lauds Irish spirit

Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, has suggested that the atmosphere within the camp under Giovanni Trapattoni is unrivalled.

The LA Galaxy forward says that he is very impressed by attitude that has been fostered under the Italian’s tenure, and expects it to help Ireland succeed at Euro 2012.

“It certainly does feel different this time,” Keane told the Irish Independent. “There has always been a great team spirit in the Irish camp, but for some reason this has been a little bit different.

“It’s the group of players, how well they get on with each other, it’s been brilliant. There have been no little niggles which you usually get in tournaments like this when you’re together for a long time.

“I mentioned before the Estonia game, that relaxed feeling we had before that game and it is very, very similar to now, to be honest.”

The Dubliner is fit and ready to get started at the tournament and he took the opportunity to praise the preparation of the Football Association of Ireland.

“I feel fine,” he said. “The last couple of weeks have been very good. We had the week in Malahide getting lads back together.

“Through that first week doing all the stuff we had to do outside of football, it’s been good that this week’s been fully concentrated on training.

“The lads are fit and sharp and on the training ground every day and I have seen that the sharpness of every player has been very good. This week now is where it starts.”

Ireland begin their Euro 2012 campaign against Croatia on Sunday.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/keane-lauds-irish-spirit/95852/

Five-star Republic sink Tuscan XI World Soccer Shop

Discarded defender Kevin Foley played 45 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's 5-0 friendly win against a Tuscan XI on Tuesday night.

Keane: Made it 2-0

Just hours after being told he would not be going to Euro 2012 the Wolves defender was introduced as a half-time substitute in the victory over a Serie C and D representative side put together by Giovanni Trapattoni's former players, Ennio Pellegrini and Aldo Firicano.

Skipper Robbie Keane's first-half double either side of Simon Cox's strike eased the Republic out of sight by the break, and substitutes Shane Long and Jon Walters struck after it to complete the scoring on a night when the result was largely immaterial.

Foley's participation came after he had been told he was being left out of the final 23 for Poland and Ukraine despite clearly being fit with Paul McShane, who joined up last week as defensive cover, getting the nod instead.

The game, the proceeds from which were being donated to charity in memory of the late Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, kicked off after the two teams observed a minute's silent in memory of the victims of Tuesday morning's earthquake, tremors from which were felt on Montecatini, at the Stadio Menali.

Keane set the ball rolling when he capitalised on an error by central defender Federico Settepassi to smash home a rising 18th-minute drive, and he might have made it 2-0 three minutes later after Corrado Colombo, his former Inter Milan team-mate, had hit the post at the other end, but miskicked in front of goal.

James McClean saw a 24th-minute shot beaten away by Francesco Gaffino, who produced a fine save to keep out Cox's effort from Stephen Hunt's cross, only for the striker to fire home the rebound.

Keane did help himself to a second goal after a slick build-up between Paul Green and Cox 14 minutes before the break.

Keane, McClean, Richard Dunne and Keiren Westwood made way at half-time for Long, Walters, Foley and David Forde, and the West Brom frontman hit the bar within three minutes of his arrival.

Forde had to get down well to keep out a 54th-minute strike from Gianluca Bugelli, but Long made it 4-0 after beating the offside trap 10 minutes later.

Green smashed a long-range 80th-minute shot wide after exchanging passes with Long, but Walters completed the scoring four minutes later after Foley's free-kick had been parried by substitute goalkeeper Tomasso Strambi.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17405/five_star_republic_sink_tuscan_xi

Keane joins Republic training World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane was on the training pitch in Malahide with his team-mates for the first time on Tuesday morning.

Keane: Joined up with Ireland

The 31-year-old striker flew in from Los Angeles on Monday afternoon and was among the squad for the early part of first session of the day.

Keane, who is recovering from a minor hamstring strain, left early to return to the team hotel, but Trapattoni will be delighted to finally have him among the fold.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16912/keane_joins_republic_training