McCarthy aims to rain on Spain

By Caroline O’Doherty

Manager Mick McCarthy said the position suited the team because “you can’t wait to get out there and prove everybody wrong”.

There was fighting talk all round yesterday as reports of a drinking binge by up to 16 of the squad were played down.

A Dublin radio station yesterday reported that members of the Irish squad had been seen partying in a Seoul nightclub early on Thursday morning, only hours after the team’s arrival in the South Korean capital.

One eyewitness revealed how up to 16 of the squad arrived in the Hollywood Basement club in the city’s entertainment district around 2.30pm for a night on the town.

But the players insisted they were focused solely on tomorrow’s make-or-break clash with the Spaniards.

“If we could get the game tonight we would play it tonight,” said Jason McAteer, adding later: “We are looking to be here until the end of June.”

McCarthy was glad the team weren’t playing any earlier as they faced a sleepless night last night, and not because of nerves or injury worries.

Over a million Koreans filled the streets around the team hotel to watch the national side dump Portugal out of the World Cup. Giant screens and the deafening post-match celebrations, complete with fireworks, drums, outdoor music, singing and horn blasting, were expected to continue until dawn.

Apart from battered ear drums, McCarthy was playing down injury concerns in the squad, particularly over Robbie Keane who sat out training for a second day yesterday with a groin strain.

“He’s not a serious worry. The medical team and physio say he’s fine,” he said.

At least 5,000 Irish fans are expected at Suwon Stadium, which has a capacity of just over 43,000.

McCarthy paid tribute to the supporters and said he was sorry to be missing the excitement at home, joking, without mentioning Roy Keane, that just two weeks ago, he was glad to be 7,000 miles away.

McAteer, however, did speak about the squad’s absent captain, joking that Roy Keane was probably enjoying a few drinks on holiday in Florida, adding: “I am sure he is wishing us all well and wishes us to do the best we can.”