Low Standard. High Hopes.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing and so far Declan Kidney's men have provided plenty of heroics to wet the Irish appetite. National pride, from a sporting perspective it seems, is something the IRFU has found itself restoring with very little help from elsewhere. Although the GAA has produced some cracking encounters and fine athletes in recent years, in terms of "exportable" sporting performances it's the fellas with the oval shaped ball who have been by far the most inspirational to watch. An honourable mention must also go to the three medals won for boxing during the Beijing Olympics three years ago, least we forget.

So what about the other lot? The soccer crowd? Well, believe it or not the FAI is still a registered company and every now and again a squad of players still meets up to represent Ireland in the international matches. 

Maybe I'm being slightly harsh. The Carling Nations Cup is legitimate silverware, which Giovanni Trapattoni's men can be proud of. However, on a grander scale the Irish sporting public would rather travel further than within ferry distance to see the Boys in Green compete in tournament football. And let's face it,    

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are not exactly the type of teams young boys dream about beating growing up.

Qualification has been the major stumbling block in the past few campaigns. Actual tournaments (Nations Cup not included) have been scarce for a while now - the Japan/Korea World Cup being the last time an Irish team has participated in one. Since that wonderful summer over 9 years ago (when only a penalty shoot out against a strong Spanish side saw our boys packing) further attempts to make the cut have been quashed by among other things: poor managerial appointments (Stan for Kerr will always remain a low point), woeful performances against lesser teams (5-2 away to Cyprus still doesn't sound right) and (depending who you talk to) the last minute decision from UEFA/Monsieur Platini to seed the playoffs to the last World Cup, leaving a difficult two legger against France - and we all know what happen there don't we, Mr Henry?

On the topic of hand to ball sports, rugby's dominance over the Irish public's imagination has overshadowed the fact that Ireland's period of international football tournament exile may be drawing to a close. While anyone who has been following the road to Poland and Ukraine Euro 2012 won't necessarily be brimming with excitement, by what has been a particularly flat campaign, Group B finds itself wide open. With only two games remaining, qualification (or at least a playoff place) is a real possibility.

Russia, with a two point cushion at the summit of the group, have a difficult trip away to Slovakia tonight, who they have already lost to, thanks to a Miroslav Stoch strike. And without star striker Kerzhakov (currently out due to an ankle injury) Dick Advocaat faces a formidable challenge in defeating this resplendent Slovak side, who have all to play for tonight to ensure their summer plans don't involve avoiding tv screens in the south of Spain or elsewhere. A Russian and Irish victory tonight would crush any Slovak hopes of qualifying, so a cagey affair is to be expected in Zilina.

Ireland's last goal came back in June in a 2-0 friendly victory against Italy when Simon Cox scored in the last minute. Since then 270 minutes of football have been played without the necessity for either Ireland or their opponents to pick the ball out from the back of their respective nets: the last three encounters against the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia have produced no goals. 

Quite an ominious sign for a team hoping to prove itself on the European stage next summer. But tonight, an away trip to Pyrenees to face Andorra, should see a return to scoring form for the currently placed second team in group B. 

A suspended Richard Dunne is the only notable absentee in what should be a simple three pointer. Trapattoni will be, and should be, looking to do more than just take the spoils after the last two particularly disheartening performances. Solidity in all areas and the ability to retain possession and move the ball around need to be worked on. 

Obviously victory against the Andorans shouldn't give any respectable national team a world beating mentality, but a convincing display tonight ought to spur the Irish on ahead of their last game in the group against Armenia next Wednesday. 

The Armenians, having schooled Slovakia with a 3-1 win last month, are by no means pushovers and also stand a chance of qualifying. Currently they lay one point adrift of the Irish with a tally of 14 and, depending on other results, could view their impending journey to Dublin as a potential clincher. 

The Aviva stadium will watch on expectantly next week regardless of tonight's result, nonetheless a strong display in their penultimate encounter should settle Irish nerves heading into the last day. 

Here's hoping for some Irish newspaper column inches being spared tomorrow morning for some celebratory non-rugby coverage.