Keane hungry to right wrongs

Robbie Keane will channel the bitter disappointment of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup exit into the quest for Euro 2012 qualification.

The 30-year-old striker and his team-mates were denied a trip to South Africa after Thierry Henry's infamous handball during the second leg of the play-off clash with France in November last year. But now Keane is hoping the lessons the Republic learned during a hugely positive campaign can serve them well as they launch their bid in Armenia tonight.

Asked if Ireland are better equipped to qualify than they were two years ago, he said: "Yeah, maybe, with the confidence the players in each other and the new players coming in and adapting to each other."

He added: "With the experience we have now, of course it is only going to make you a better team.

"The more experience you have, the better you are and hopefully the experience we had in the last campaign will stand us in good stead for this one."

Keane knows, like several of his senior colleagues, that there may not be too many more chances for him to make it on to the big stage, as he did at the 2002 World Cup finals in the Far East.

The prospect of wearing the armband at the finals of a major tournament is one he would value perhaps even above the honour of winning his 100th senior cap against Argentina last month.

He said: "It was great to get the 100th cap, but personally I am delighted that's gone now, just to get it over with and concentrate on the rest of the games.

"As captain, of course it would be an honour to lead your team out and we certainly have a good chance.

"We had a great chance in the last campaign - obviously, we just missed out, but hopefully that will make us stronger and more determined now to qualify."