The Irish soccer team’s manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has told his team that a little pre-match sex was okay, but nothing too strenuous. He made it clear that while the team are free to enjoy their free time in Poland they were not allowed to let their fans down on the pitch.

When asked if he would be imposing a sex ban on the team he said, “I was a player and it's like food, if you eat, eat, eat you're dead from food. Don't overdose on it."

“That is a joke of course. They [the players] will have the possibility on days, opportunity days. On a free evening it's okay. In the evening, the players will come back to us.”

He also said alcohol is fine in moderation.

The gaffer said, “One or two paid the price for this situation in the past. Afterwards they had excuse, excuse, excuse. Some other players also had this habit but we have given them the opportunity and they understand.

"They understand not to betray us because betraying us is betraying the Irish people.

"I think our players are now mature enough. For you, for me, they cannot betray that trust."

The Evening Herald reported from Mayo, where Trapattoni spent the weekend taking part in a charity walk on Croagh Patrick. He was joined by An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and FAI boss John Delaney.

During the UEFA Cup the Irish team will be based at the Sopot Sheraton in one of Poland's most popular tourist resorts.