McCarthy will keep ignoring Keane

Mick McCarthy will leave former captain Roy Keane out of his Republic of Ireland side to take on Finland on August 21.

Mick McCarthy will leave Roy Keane out of his Republic of Ireland side to take on Finland on August 21.

McCarthy announces his 22-man squad for the European Championship warm-up game in Helsinki on Thursday - and it will not include the Manchester United captain.

Keane, who will be 31 on Saturday, will not be considered by McCarthy after the bust-up between the two on the Pacific island of Saipan just prior to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

The Cork man, sent home in disgrace, has since stressed his desire to play for his country again - but only if the team operates under new management.

The FAI have given a full vote of confidence to McCarthy.

Now it seems improbable Keane will add to his 59 caps with virtually no hope of a truce being called.

McCarthy, refreshed and tanned after a holiday in Portugal, said: "The player has apparently stated he will not play for his country again until there is a change of management.

"I am still very proud to be manager of the Republic of Ireland and very much looking forward to the next two years and the European Championship qualifying campaign and those matches against Russia, Georgia, Switzerland and Albania.

"There is no point in asking Roy to join the squad in such circumstances.

"We must prepare for the future and with Niall Quinn, Steve Staunton and Alan Kelly having retired from international football, there will be a chance for some of the younger players to stake their claims for further international recognition."

Into that category come Millwall midfielder Steven Reid, new Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison and Newcastle's Andy O'Brien - with fellow defender John O'Shea possibly keeping alive Manchester United's Irish connection.

McCarthy added: "A good result against the Finns would be the ideal preparation for the game against Russia in Moscow on September 7."