Spectre of Keane haunts McCarthy

MICK McCARTHY’S prediction on Friday that the Roy Keane issue would pursue him throughout his career inevitably proved accurate as journalists reacted to the negative result of the match against Russia by immediately re-opening the issue.

The Irish team manager showed remarkable restraint when a Russian journalist waved a notebook in his face as he posed the question in the immediate post-match interview room. And he spoke at greater length when the issue was re-visited on the return from Moscow last night.

McCarthy made the very logical observation that even if Keane had been available, he may have been prevented from playing by his injury.