WAKE sky ma UP EARLY

Hallgrimsson warns Irish team to cut out habit of being asleep at start and conceding the first goal

- BY MARK McCADDEN

HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON has warned his players to stop jeopardising their World Cup dream by conceding early goals.

Ireland got out of jail on Saturday against Hungary when a second-half rally saw them come back from 2-0 down and earn a point.

And while tonight's opponents were thumped 5-0 at home to Portugal at the weekend, the Boys in Green boss is concerned that they would be ready to pounce on another slow start.

“We need to be solid defensively,” said Hallgrimsson. “Armenia have good individuals that can create problems on their own. It's a fast counterattacking team.

“I would say that probably their biggest strength is in transition.