McCarthy keen to emphasise importance of squad unity

MICK McCARTHY paid tribute to his back-up squad after training yesterday when Ireland again went through a vigorous 90 minutes session before a couple of thousand appreciative fans in their beautiful training base in Chiba City.

The immaculate pitch that has been set aside for their exclusive use is in the middle of a high-class municipal leisure centre on the shores of Tokyo Bay. The quality of the playing surface is as good as the official pitches in the World Cup stadiums and good enough to match the quality of most golf course putting greens.