Mick McCarthy’s men already winners in football’s lottery

Two more days until the dawn of a new era for the Republic of Ireland senior men’s team and, with Mick McCarthy’s hand back on the tiller, there has been an inevitable focus on the contrast between his current rank and file and those under his command when he first roamed international waters with the Boys in Green.

I’ve never managed anywhere. I’ve managed to stay alive for 63-and-a-half years, baby.”

- Eamon Dunphy