Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Republic of Ireland - 1 Nigeria - 2WORLD CUP WARM-UP/Republic of Ireland v Nigeria: Eight years after Croatia came to Dublin and spoilt the send-off party for Ireland's USA'94 squad, Nigeria proved similarly graceless guests at Lansdowne Road last night. Paddy Reilly still sang and the players went ahead with their lap of honour regardless but the expectations have been gently nudged to ground level just as Mick McCarthy takes to the skies for the journey East.

However, the Ireland manager can draw a lot of encouragement from another surprisingly lively World Cup warm-up as Ireland's approach work, though not the finishing, was often excellent. The two first-half goals conceded serve as a timely warning, though, that McCarthy's defence, more than any other section of his team, faces an enormous challenge over the coming weeks.