Welcome to Poland! Thousands fill the streets as Republic of Ireland arrive in Gdansk



Giovanni Trapattoni and the Republic of Ireland players were treated to an extraordinary welcome in Poland when more than 13,000 people turned up to see their first training session at the Arka Gdynia Stadium near Gdansk.



But behind the smiles, the cheerleaders and green, white and orange balloons which greeted the Ireland manager and his 23-man squad at the training base near the Baltic coast in Gdynia, there are signs of growing unrest in the Irish squad.



Several players have complained of fatigue after the training camp in Tuscany and goalkeeper Shay Given remains an injury concern as he battles with a calf strain which threatens his start in Sunday’s opener against Croatia.

We're here: Republic of Ireland were greeted by thousands of local fans in Sopot as they arrived in Poland

Trapattoni insists that the Ireland No 1’s half-time withdrawal in Monday’ s goalless draw in Hungary was pre-arranged and that Given will train on Wednesday, despite sitting out a light session in Gdynia. All eyes will be on the country’s record cap holder, who is growing increasingly concerned about his fitness.



Trapattoni will also have to deal with increasing disquiet among his players, some of whom have been with the Irish squad for 21 days today. The Italian says he will stick with his plan to start with the side he named on Sunday for the kick-off in Poznan.



After the 0-0 draw in Budapest, winger Aiden McGeady said: 'A lot of players felt a bit jaded and we were saying that at half-time. There was such a high intensity, we may have to take it easy in training.



And Keith Andrews added: 'We’ve been together now for a couple of weeks and training has been very tough, we’ve all said it, that’s been tough for the last couple of weeks but this week I think it’s going to be more a case of just ticking over and making sure we’re sharp enough.’



But Trapattoni last night laughed off his players’ concerns.



'The training camp in Montecatini was a holiday,’ he said. 'My first concern is never to push the players too hard in training. I am always flexible with them.



'I don’t think McGeady was tired, although maybe psychologically after playing against Bosnia. Sometimes the players speak because they want to answer but they don’t think about what they are saying.



'I have seen the Hungary game again and I must clarify with the team why we had difficulties. I thought we were slower than normal whereas usually we are very aggressive. We will look at this but we will not make changes.’

Making base: A welcome ceremony was put on the team's hotel where they will be based for the tournament

Meanhwhile, Stephen Hunt, playing in his first major tournament, says he will treat his European Championship bow as he did his Barclays Premier League debut.



The 30-year-old Wolves winger made a good impression after coming off the bench in the Republic of Ireland's 0-0 draw with Hungary in Budapest on Monday night.



However, he insists he will not let the excitement get the better of him.



Hunt said: 'I am focussed, I really am. I have waited a long time for this and I am going to make the most of it.



'I am not here to enjoy it. I am here to take an experience, to a certain degree, but we are here to do well.



'I remember playing my first game in the Premier League and being focussed, and I have the same feeling, so it's going to be great.

On the ball: Fans were desperate to get their hands on the autographs of their heroes





'It's about hiding the excitement, to a certain degree, and trying to stay calm and focussed for the next three games and do ourselves justice like we know we can.



'There are six days to go and if you are not in the zone now for the European Championship, then you will never be.



'I feel fit, I feel well and excited, but I will just try to keep my focus and look forward to the games.



'We are playing for the nation next week, and it means a lot to us as players and our supporters. We are looking forward to it.'



Hunt knows that, barring a major change of heart, manager Giovanni Trapattoni will start with Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady in the wide midfield roles against the Croatians.

Touchdown: The team jetted in straight after their final warm-up match against Hungary

With newcomer James McClean also pushing for a place, Hunt knows competition for places is fierce.



In the circumstances, he was happy with his cameo at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium, where he replaced Duff with 63 minutes gone.



He said: 'You have got to do what you can do on the pitch when you get on there. It was pretty positive last night, so I will take a little bit of confidence. I have trained for the last three weeks every day and it's been good for me.'



Had it not been for Hunt's presence on his own goal-line six minutes from time, Ireland's 13-game unbeaten record might not have been extended to 14 with the winger hacking away Imre Szabics' shot as it threatened to fly into the bottom corner.

He said: 'The manager talks about small details. I wasn't too sure whether to come off the line or stay on the line. The danger hadn't been cleared, so I stayed on the line.



'It could go against you - sometimes you could play strikers onside and they could tap it in. But it was the right decision, I suppose.



'I was a bit nervous when it came to me. I saw it all the way, to be honest with you, and it was just a matter of getting a good clearance and making sure it didn't bobble over my foot, thank God.'



