McCarthy pleased to be back

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, preparing to meet President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a reception in the head of state’s official residence, in Phoenix Park, said he was pleased to be back.

He also said he was sad that it was some weeks earlier than might have been if they had beaten Spain last Sunday and progressed further.

He added: ‘‘It’s lovely that our supporters want to welcome us back in this way.’’

McCarthy said he was delighted Korea won today with a golden goal against strongly-favoured Italy.

‘‘I am so pleased for them. And I wish Japan had won as well, because they have both been wonderful hosts.’’

Most of the thousands of fans attending the free World Cup soccer celebration concert were being taken to Phoenix Park from the centre of Dublin in a fleet of up to 170 buses operating a shuttle service that was expected to go on well into the night.

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan was among those attending the salute to the World Cup squad in Dublin.

The nationalist SDLP leader said he was ‘‘delighted to attend the reception and personally convey to the players and their manager how thrilled people across Ireland were by their performances in the World Cup’’.