Doyle doesn't let bug bite as he shrugs off illness for cause
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KEVIN Doyle revealed he was in a cold sweat before the match against Poland -- but it was caused by a dose of the flu, not by fear.
The Reading striker, who won his 23rd cap for Ireland last night, gave no outward sign of feeling under the weather as he toiled gamely against a hard-hitting Polish defence.
And while he was disappointed that he missed the chance to take the penalty which gave the Irish their opening goal, having been earlier substituted, he couldn't grudge Reading team-mate Stephen Hunt his first score for the senior international side.
"I was delighted for Stephen. Mind you, he stepped up and took it before anyone else could get the ball and calmly stuck it away.
"It's a little monkey off his back now. He can always say he's scored for Ireland now and nothing can take that away from him," said Doyle afterwards.
Doyle actually considered he might miss the game when the flu bug struck on Monday, but desire to stay in the side and Robbie Keane's absence made the decision for him.
"I had this bug since Monday. I was just cold, and then hot and sweaty and headaches and sniffly and had a sore throat but we were missing Robbie as well.
"Apart from that I wanted to play and I'm glad I did. I had plenty of tablets and stuff, and it was an international, it's my country and I just wanted to get through it.
"I felt worse on Monday and Tuesday but it eased up today. I should be fine for the weekend with Reading," he said.
Reflecting on the match Doyle admitted that it was very disappointing to concede a goal so early in each half.
Boss Trapattoni didn't dwell on it immediately after the game but the Reading player expects the game to be analysed in depth by the Irish manager.
"He just made a few points. I'm sure he'll say more when we get together again," he said.
"The main point he made to us was to be positive and not let this get to us. It's a friendly match.
"Better to get the defeat out of the way in a friendly match and don't let it happen in a qualifier."
Andy Keogh, the 22-year- old Wolves striker-cum-wide midfield player, echoed those sentiments.
"The lads showed some good spirit. We kept going, scored some good goals and were a bit unfortunate with their goals," he said.
"First half we had quite a few chances. I don't think people would have begrudged us going in 2-1 up, but the early goal in the second half gave them confidence.
He added: "I think everyone would agree if we had to lose, we'd rather it be in a friendly. We don't want to drop points in the qualifiers."
- Liam Kelly
