FAI hope to convince McCarthy to stay after 2004

THE FAI will try to persuade Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy to stay on beyond the European Championships in 2004.

McCarthy said earlier this week he would walk away from the job in 2004, regardless of whether his side qualify for the championships in Portugal.

He added that he wants to return to club management and was favourite to take over from Peter Reid at Sunderland before Howard Wilkinson’s surprise appointment.