PLUCKED OUT OF FINN AIR

New recruit John Joe's 'a great kid' says Hall

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON'S meeting with John Joe Patrick Finn in France had its ups and downs - but ultimately the right outcome.

The Ireland boss met the Spanish-born midfielder for talks two weeks ago, as part of a whistlestop tour of Europe to catch up with some established and fringe players.

Part of the jaunt was to watch the 21-year-old former Real Madrid youth in action for his club, Ligue 1 side Reims.

But what Hallgrimsson hadn't banked on was that Finn would be an unused sub in the scoreless draw away to Montpellier.

So that aspect of the trip was a touch frustrating, although the meeting afterwards couldn't have gone better.