MARTIN O'Neill believes that his players will remain professional off the field in the build-up to the friendly against Italy in London on Saturday, after he awarded some of the team a break from training.
Following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Turkey at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, the Ireland manager allowed certain individuals to socialise and visit family but he maintained a midnight curfew for the players.
O’Neill remains confident that his players will not abuse the freedom that they have been given, and trusts that they will continue to respect his authority.
"The players have been terrific here," O’Neill said.
"You give them a little bit of leeway. They are professional players. Some of them have families living not too far from here.
"We've done the training, it's the end of the season and I think they enjoy a little bit of freedom that they get.
"And none of them at this minute – famous last words these will be, of course – but none of them have abused it. They've been absolutely fine.
"After the Turkey game, there was a curfew on to just after midnight and one or two went home to their families.
"The rest were here and they were absolutely fine, obviously disappointed with the result but essentially they are really good boys.
"Genuinely, really good. And if given, I suppose, a normal feeling of a bit of respect for them, they have not abused it anyway, at the moment.
"What I've tried to do is allow them a little time. The Stoke lads asked early for a little time with their family. I'd no problem with that."
Derby players Jeff Hendrick, Conor Sammon and Richard Keogh joined the team at Malahide yesterday, whilst QPR striker Kevin Doyle will link up with the squad tomorrow.
