There was plenty to be encouraged by in Ireland's performance against Portugal, but the mistakes that contributed to defeat must be eliminated.
The FAI's ace card is that it represents Irish football and no lender would dare seize the home of the national football team and it would be a brave politician that allowed it to happen.
Andy Reid was exiled under Giovanni Trapattoni. Now that he's a coach, he says there's nothing to be afraid of as he talks Trap, Brian Kerr, Stephen Kenny and Naomi Osaka.
Alan McLoughlin's death was a reminder of how Ireland changed for the better during the Charlton years.
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