Former Ireland international Paul McGrath believes that Mick McCarthy’s departure was more to do with the Roy Keane dispute than results he achieved with Ireland during his reign. McGrath, who won 83 caps for Ireland between 1985 and 1997, said, “He has done what I consider to be a very good job - but the main reason he has gone was because of the way things went in the summer.
“You`re on a hiding to nothing if you are not able to pick your best player at the World Cup and sort it out. Although the team did very well that's the main reason that he's decided to call it a day."
Another former international, Frank Stapleton, supported this view saying, “The Keane situation overshadowed everything. He's not been judged on results - he's been judged on something else that happened away from the field.”
A tough-tackling centre-back as a player, McCarthy won 57 caps for the Republic, and captained the team in the 1994 World Cup Finals, when Jack Charltons side grabbed a famous victory against Italy before being knocked out in the second round by Holland.
As manager, he took charge of Ireland for 68 matches, winning 29, drawing 19, and losing 20. He is expected to apply for the next Premiership managerial position which becomes available.
Filed by Johnny Proby
