World Cup: McCarthy simply happy to have won

Mick McCarthy preferred to draw the positives from Ireland's unconvincing 3-1 World Cup win over the part-timers of Andorra.

"We've got 14 points, we are still unbeaten and we are top of the group," said the Ireland boss.

His side came from behind after a shock 32nd-minute goal by Andorra's Ildefons Lima - with replies from Kevin Kilbane, Mark Kinsella and Gary Breen.

"I know it might sound like a boring mantra but that is the situation and at the start of the programme not many people thought we would be here at this stage."

But the fact remains that Ireland have improved their goal-difference by just five in two games against the whipping boys of Group Two - and it is goal-difference which will decide who goes through to the 2002 finals in the Far East if teams finish level on points at the end of the qualifying campaign.

Ireland are now three points ahead of Portugal, who come to Dublin in June, but Holland, who visit in September, have now overtaken the Portuguese as well - on goal-difference - after beating Cyprus 4-0 in Eindhoven.

McCarthy insisted: "Goal-difference won't matter at all if we beat both those two at home.

"I refuse to be negative about it. I could come here and say we were crap and should have won by a lot more. But it wouldn't have mattered if we had scored 10 against Andorra, we still wouldn't have earned any plaudits. "

Andorra, just as they did when restricting the Republic to a 3-0 win in Barcelona in March, erected a thick red wall in front of their goal and seldom ventured forward even after taking their shock lead which lasted just two minutes.

McCarthy admitted: "I don't deny them their right to play at this level but I don't enjoy the way they play. They just block and harry you all the while and continually time-waste.

"David Connolly was beaten up time and again. I thought they were going to nick his wallet as well but I've told him centre forwards have got to expect that from big daft centre halves.

"I hate games like this. I don't know anybody who really enjoys them but at least we know the Portugal game will be a lot different.

"That's a massive game for us, but then after that, so will all the others right up to the end of the qualifying campaign."