Soccer: Ireland and Portugal get underway
02/06/2001 - 15:01:38Ireland's World Cup Qualifier against Portugal is now underway.
Aston Villa veteran Steve Staunton, 32, has been handed his record-equalling 88th cap as Republic manager Mick McCarthy was forced into a late change which further disrupted his defence.
With Kenny Cunningham already ruled out through a stomach muscle injury, Gary Breen failed a test on a groin problem strain and Staunton, normally a full-back, was brought in to a new centre-half pairing with Manchester City youngster Richard Dunne.
There was another surprise when McCarthy named Gary Kelly as his right-midfield choice over Damien Duff, Mark Kennedy and Jason McAteer after right-back Stephen Carr was passed fit following an ankle doubt.
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