IRELAND MUST FIGHTBACK AGAINST SPAIN & ITALY

After Sunday's desperate result against Croatia,

losing 3-1, Ireland will have to go for broke against Spain & Italy.

Now Ireland have to try and achieve the

near-impossible by beating tournament favourites, Spain & Italy.

Make no mistake, Spain are a top quality side who drew with Italy 1-1 in their first game at this tournament

There is talk that Jonathan Walters may play with Ireland Captain Robbie Keane as Kevin Doyle's form has disappeared of late.

In a mouth-watering clash on Thursday I expect Ireland to at least draw, if not win against Spain, then a draw against Italy might just suit Ireland, here's hoping

IRELAND FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE WITH DRAW V HUNGARY

HUNGARY 0-0 IRELAND

Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland team can thank Hungary's wastesfulness in front of goal to earn the Irish a draw in Budapest last night.

It was an open affair despite the thunderous downpour which delayed the kick-off by 20 minutes.

Ireland played an open, expansive attacking game with Robbie Keane & Kevin Doyle to the forefront early on.

However, Hungary playing at home, also posed a threat with Balázs Dzudzsák having three shots on target, he should have scored at least once only for the heroics of Shay Given in goal.

Ireland too, had chances of their own with Damien Duff and Robbie Keane having shots on goal.

In an open and often entertaining game with end to end football being the order of the day, the first-half ended scoreless.

Trapattoni made two changes at half-time with Kieron Westwood coming in for Shay Given, who suffered a mild calf-strain and Darren Gibson in for Keith Andrews.

The game continued apace, close to Turnament Final levels with both sides pressing for goals.

Robbie Keane and Damien Duff were replaced by tactical substitutions, Jon Walters and Simon Cox while Kevin Doyle was replaced by fellow Leinsterman Steven Hunt who had his usual all-action effect on the game, event stopping a certain goal on the line, late in the game.

Jonathon Walters had two shots on goal, one saved by Bogdan in the Hungary goal.

But, despite the weather and the pitch, the game ended in stalemate 0-0. A result which will have pleased Ireland Manager Giovanni Trapattoni somewhat.

After the match the Manager suggested in his broken-english that he may change his trusted 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 4-5-1 with maybe, Robbie Keane dropping deep to counteract modern teams methods.

Ireland are now 14 matches unbeaten heading into the Euro's, lets hope we continue that run in the finals, lets also hope Shay Given's calf injury is not too serious

TRAPATTONI ANNOUNCES TEAM FOR HUNGARY WILL BE THE TEAM THAT STARTS THE EURO'S

Ireland Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team for Monday's final warm-up game against Hungary in Budapest.

It contains the players who got us to the European Championship final's in the first place, which is understandable and commendable.

In any case, there will be injuries and maybe suspensions during the Campaign, so all of the 23 man squad should remain fully focussed for the tournament:

The Italian declared that, barring injury, this will also be the team to face Croatia in Ireland's opening game of the Euro's next Sunday, 10 June.

Some in the media have expressed amazement at the fact that Trap has showed his hand in this manner: Sky Sports News.

However, the genial Italian has always stood by his tried and trusted players in his reign as Ireland boss.

I agree with his actions and methods as he has maximised the potential of his squad and got us to the Euros.

As Big Jack famously said: "Lets go and compete."