Ireland fans have been guaranteed there will be no repeat of the Saipan training ground fiasco that cost Roy Keane his World Cup dream when their team return to the big stage next summer.
Keane was famously kicked out of Ireland’s 2002 squad when he became embroiled in a bitter row with manager Mick McCarthy over training camp facilities on the Pacific island of Saipan.
The Manchester United legend didn’t play in the 2002 World Cup after he was sent home by McCarthy and Ireland haven’t been back in a major finals since Japan and South Korea.
Now manager Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli have been to Poland to ensure their will be no repeat of the ‘car park training ground’ accusations when Ireland prepare for Euro 2012.
The pair have chosen a five star training camp facility in the Polish town of Gdynia, not far from the Gdansk and Poznan venues that will host their Group C games with Croatia, Spain and Italy.
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“We are aware of what happened in Saipan but there will be no problems in Poland,” declared World Cup winner Tardelli after his flying visit East.
“A few associations had problems with pitches at that World Cup and by far ours was the most high profile but it is not something that is foremost on our minds now.
“We know it is important that we get it right and we will. In Ireland and England we are used to having a high quality pitch and the pitch we will train on in Poland is of a very good quality.
“It will have more work done on it before we arrive so that it is right for us. We don’t want a pitch with holes or one that is very hard because that can cause an injury.
“The training facilities and the hotel are very, very good. Everything is close together and of a high standard and good for the team which is important. There will be no excuses.”
Trapattoni and Tardelli have yet to decide on a venue for a pre-tournament training camp at the end of May with the Montecatini facility near Florence still on the agenda.
“We have drawn Italy in the tournament but that won’t stop us going to Florence if that if what we feel is right,” said Tardelli.
“We are looking at it and so are the association. The facilities there are excellent ad we have a bit more time to decide on that.”
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Read more:
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