Irish games are a chance to impress
By Paul Baker

Monday 4th July 2005

TERRAS boss Garry Hill says results are not the main concern on his squad's two-match tour to Ireland which begins at Europe hopefuls Drogheda United tonight (7pm).

"Whether we win or lose doesn't really matter," said Hill, "I'm only interested in getting my players' fitness levels up by the time we start for real on August 13.

"Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers who we meet on Wednesday, are halfway through their league season already so I expect them to be a lot fitter and livelier than us.

"But that is all part and parcel of it and we will have just have to work a lot harder. The only way to get sharp is to play good teams and hopefully that is what will happen this week."

Hill is taking his full squad of 20 players, including midfield trialist Shaun Carey, and expects to give everyone plenty of opportunity to impress.

"We have no injury problems after just a week of training and so we'll be trying different players and different things in both games."

Hill, who admits to knowing very little about the relative strengths of either of the Terras Republic of Ireland opponents, added: "The whole point of the trip is fitness, not results and I'm sure we will come back a lot sharper than we go."

Drogheda United, who are reckoned to be of a similar standard to an average Coca-Cola League Two, are faring better this season than Shamrock Rovers who have hit financial problems and are bottom of the Eircom Premier Division.

The Drogs have a Finish international midfielder in Sami Ristilia and also include former Plymouth Argyle defender Stuart Malcolm, Dutch defender Jermaine Sandvilet and ex-Arsenal trainee Stephen Bradley.