Hands off, I'm No 1 says Forde

6 February 2013; David Forde, Republic of Ireland, celebrates at the end of the game. International Friendly, Republic of Ireland v Poland, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

HANDS OFF - that's the message from David Forde to any of the Irish 'keepers hoping to take the No. 1 jersey from him, writes Aidan Fitzmaurice.

The Millwall man helped Ireland to a 2-0 win over Poland last night, our first clean sheet in six games, and Forde hopes that he's now done enough to keep hold of the keeper's shirt for the World Cup game in Sweden next month despite pressure from Keiren Westwood and the possible return of Shay Given.

"A lot of things could happen but I have the shirt and I want to hold onto it," Forde (below) told the Herald.

"I just wanted to show the manager what I could do and show I can play at this level. Hopefully, I have done that now," added Forde.

3see pages 68-69