Post by Taxigirl on Feb 4, 2004 10:03:29 GMT
The Republic of Ireland started and finished 2003 on a low, but in between there were high hopes new manager Brian Kerr could lead them to European glory.
The Irish saw in the new year without a manager and without a point from their two Euro 2004 qualifiers.
Then, Brian Kerr was named as Mick McCarthy's successor and, for a while, it seemed he could do no wrong.
The Irish turned things around and looked like qualifying for Portugal but, in the end, they fell short.
The Republic failed to make it to Portugal because they started and finished the qualifiers badly.
McCarthy's critics have suggested the two opening defeats to Russia and Switzerland were the reason the Republic did not qualify. That appears to be only half true.
A great revival under Kerr, reaped 10 out of a possible 12 against Georgia and Albania and qualification was in the Republic's own hands when they came to their final two games.
The table-topping Swiss and Russia were again the opposition. After leading against Russia, an under-par Republic were held to a 1-1 draw in Dublin.
Qualification was still possible as Ireland travelled to Switzerland for their final game but a rather inept performance and a first defeat under Kerr left them third in the Group Ten table.
Having done so well to get into a position to qualify, missing out on the last day was a painful blow, and a costly one too for the Football Association of Ireland.
Star players
Now, Kerr may embark on a rebuilding of his Republic squad, bringing in a number of players he himself groomed as youth team level.
Players like Celtic's Liam Miller, Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid and Colin Healy are likely to be important for the men in green as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers.
Healy will hope to make a successful comeback after breaking a leg playing for his club Sunderland.
In Group Four, Kerr's team will again be up against Switzerland, not to mention European Champions France. They will need star players Damien Duff and Robbie Keane to be fit and on form for these key matches.
There is much work to do off the pitch as well. The FAI is facing up a to reduced capacity at Lansdowne Road because it is no longer allowed to use temporary seating.
Merrion Square officials are known to be considering playing the World Cup qualifiers outside Ireland as the lower attendance at Lansdowne would mean hugely reduced income.
All in all, an important year ahead for the Republic.