Staunton staying calm on Croke Park

Steve Staunton was as excited as anybody when he sat in the Croke Park stands last weekend to watch the Irish rugby side dismantle England.

But while the majority of Irish sports fans were swept away by the emotions of the occasion, the manager of the Republic of Ireland football squad kept things in check.

Any emotion he felt about seeing rugby played at GAA headquarters dissipated after Eddie O'Sullivan's side met France two weeks previously.

"The thing is that rugby games have been played there and that's it - the barrier has been broken down," said Staunton yesterday. "The GAA have been very good to them and to ourselves. It will probably be more emotional on the afternoon of the Welsh game, but at the end of the day it's a home game for us."

Despite his apparent calm at taking part in what will be another historic day for Irish sport, Staunton concedes that he anticipates plenty of other people getting a little more carried away.

"How can you try and shield the players from the emotion? It's impossible. We are a small nation. Most of them come from Ireland and, those who don't, know the significance of the game," he said.

"So there is no way you can hide that. I'm sure the press will keep it quiet for a couple of weeks beforehand! You can't hide it. It's got to be on every talk-in show and every programme, morning TV . . . you know it's going to happen. It happened with the rugby.

"It's going to be historical and everybody is looking forward to it - from grannies down to young kids. Everybody will remember where they are when soccer is played in Croke Park."

In three weeks, Staunton will follow O'Sullivan's footsteps and lead an Irish international side out at GAA headquarters when the Republic of Ireland face Wales in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Staunton - who yesterday celebrated the first anniversary of his opening fixture as Ireland manager - may be looking forward to that tie, but he knows it comes with its own baggage. He refers to the French victory at the same venue two weeks previously to illustrate how even the visiting side can find Croke Park an inspirational venue.

"Will it be an inspiration to us? Well I hope it doesn't work against us. I know the Welsh will be hoping for that," Staunton admitted.

"Our lads are all looking forward to it. There will be a lot sweating on whether they are in the squad or not, because everybody wants to be in the squad now.

"It's a home tie for Ireland - it's not like you are going to be playing there every week or every month. There are only four games this year, so the way I see it we have double the supporters.

"And if the fans make the noise - and I know they will like they did against the Czechs - and the way they have supported us throughout the campaign, it's going to be amazing, to say the least."

Staunton's first year as manager has been a rocky ride. After that peak first time out against the Swedes, he has been pilloried after dreadful displays against Cyprus and San Marino.

But he remains resolute, and acknowledged that his side failed to perform last time out, where it took a goal in the dying seconds to scrap out a 2-1 win.

"We know San Marino wasn't the best - it wasn't good at all. But, you know, we won the game," he said. "You can't legislate for what went on out there, but we tried to score the goals - it just never happened on the night. We were unfortunate and fortunate.

"That's the way it goes, and hopefully the players will realise that the performance wasn't up to what was expected of them. But also it will spur them on for playing in Croke Park. Everybody is looking forward to it. Please God, it will be a night to remember."