Kerr enjoying Faroe adventure

Published Monday, 11 October 2010
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Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has nothing but admiration for his Faroe Islands part-timers even though they traditionally struggle in competitive action.

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Comprising 18 islands and a total population of 47,000, the Faroes have lost all four games in the campaign so far. Next up is a Euro 2012 qualifier against improving Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening in Toftir.

Kerr said: "There are a lot of very positive things, not least the passion of the players. They love the challenge of taking on the best even if they do have to report for work at nine o'clock the following morning.

"You can't help getting involved and feeling for them, when they are giving it their all.

"We are always massive underdogs, of course, and that is not surprising when you consider the players have real jobs to do, away from football."

Kerr spoke of a light-hearted moment during the defeat by Serbia.

"Our captain was quite put out when things started getting a bit hot and (Dejan) Stankovic turned to him and said: 'You're only a so-and-so fisherman.'

"He felt very insulted and said: 'I'm not a fisherman, I'm a carpenter!'"

"We have teachers, an accountant, a bank worker and of course a carpenter. It's a case of trying to extract the best you can and not working them too hard in training, so they have something left on matchday."

Kerr's first visit to the Faroes came with the Republic and the group got a shock when the plane arrived in Vagar.

"We landed to find sheep wandering around the airport and in the car park," he said. "Then when we arrived at our hotel we were greeted by sheep grazing near the main entrance.

"It was June, the sun was shining and it all just felt completely different to what I had left behind. It was a very unusual feeling but also a very calm one, and I liked it.

"Of course, when I subsequently took the job, I knew it would be a huge challenge getting results, but I've faced that before."

Kerr is delighted to be in the same group as Northern Ireland.

He said: "I've been looking forward to this game since the draw was made. I would have liked the Republic, of course, but Northern Ireland is next best.

"They are in good shape at the moment, whereas we only have a very small group of players to choose from, so it is going to be difficult."

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MICHAEL LAW
This past weekend was a massive one in both rugby and in football as both Leinster and Chelsea became European Champions.
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