Irwin gets a rousing send-off from fans

DENIS IRWIN’S 902nd match might have ended in defeat and relegation but all around Molineux they rose to acclaim the end of the Corkman’s glittering 22-year career.

Irwin admitted the reception he received when he was substituted one minute from the end of Wolves' 2-0 defeat by Tottenham brought a tear to his eye.

But the 38-year-old, English football's most decorated player, is in no doubt that the decision he made at the start of the season was the correct one.

Irwin said: "I was a bit emotional when I came off because I knew that was the end. I have got no regrets but 22 years is a long time and it is time to go out now. I will not miss playing the football because I have done enough, but I will miss the dressing-room banter. I think it will be in the next pre-season or when the games start in August when it will hit home a bit more.

"It will be strange but I will go and watch a few games and do what normal people do on a Saturday whatever that is."

Irwin had come close to capping his swansong with a goal following a fine free-kick in the 12th minute. But the visitors soaked up the home side's pressure and former Wolves favourite Robbie Keane ensured Irwin's finale would be disappointing by bundling home the opening goal in the 33rd minute after a fine cross from debutant Mark Yeates. In the bright end-of-season sunshine the Wolves fans' respect extended to Keane, whose name was chanted and who was given a standing ovation to rival Irwin's when he was also substituted near the end.

Wolves huffed and puffed but failed to make a breakthrough and Rohan Ricketts almost fired home with a powerful left-footed shot which Paul Jones did well to tip over his bar.

Spurs were gifted victory in the 68th minute when Carl Cort's awful back-pass left Jermain Defoe with the simplest of chances. One minute earlier, Paul Ince had struck the only discordant note of a friendly afternoon by being sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Jamie Redknapp.

Ince left the field in a fury and manager Dave Jones criticised referee Steve Bennett for his lack of leniency.

"That referee has been consistent all season and he has been consistent again today," Jones said.

Jones will now turn his attention towards persuading the likes of Ince and Henri Camara to stick with the club upon their return to the First Division. "There's no reason why the players we have under contract shouldn't stay with us but we also need to keep rebuilding," he said.

"We have a phenomenal fan base and I don't think there's many teams who get applause like that when they walk around the pitch having been relegated."

It remains unclear what part in the Spurs rebuilding process David Pleat will play, although he admitted his days as caretaker boss were numbered after their win. Two consecutive victories have masked the inefficiencies in his side's season but Pleat preferred to stay positive and believes his successor will have plenty to work with.

Yeates enjoyed an impressive debut on the right flank while players like Ricketts have established themselves firmly in the first team this season.

Pleat said: "If you take out a few of the players it is a very young side and we have lots of players with very bright futures. It's just sad that we had those six or seven games where we couldn't get a result but we've picked up a few points and headed back towards mid-table. We proved that we have got good players who can express themselves."