CR7'S RON IN A BILLION BUT JAKE ISN'T FAZED

BY PAUL O'HEHIR

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CRISTIANO RONALDO has no intention of slowing down but that’s music to Jake O'Brien's ears this weekend.

While it remains a formidable challenge, the Ireland defender is relishing the prospect of going up against the evergreen 40-year-old - and it's not unchartered territory.

O'Brien made his full Ireland debut against Portugal in last year's June friendly defeat in Aveiro, not that it brings back the fondest memories.

Ronaldo scored twice in a 3-0 win against an experimental Irish rearguard of O'Brien, Liam Scales, Dara O'Shea and Seamus Coleman, under caretaker John O'Shea.

But O’Brien is embracing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Portugal's heavyweights once again.