Is Shay Crocked?

Last updated : 06 June 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

The 36-year-old Republic of Ireland international played only 45 minutes of Monday night''s 0-0 friendly draw in Hungary, and was a spectator at Tuesday night''s public training session at the Municipal Stadium in Gdynia.

Alan Kelly: "Anybody who has seen Shay over - what is it, 122 caps, now? - and his determination to play for Ireland, that''s not going to go away.

"To play in the big championships, it''s a bit of a cliche, but nobody more so than Shay is desperate to play on Sunday. I don''t think wild horses keep him from being on that pitch.

"I think his determination and the willingness he has shown over 16 years to play for Ireland now is not going to go away overnight.

"He''s fine. We had the open day yesterday in front of a really fantastic crowd, as you saw, and it''s just part of his rest and recuperation.

"He played the 45 minutes the night before - I don''t know if you noticed, but we were playing head tennis over in the corner and having a bit of craic with the crowd, and he was absolutely busting a get to get involved.

"But I had to put the old reins on him and keep him back. We had travelled overnight and it''s nothing out of the ordinary, really."