McCarthy set to stick it out

MICK McCarthy last night insisted he is not about to quit as manager of Ireland.

But doubt still surrounds his immediate future and he was not prepared to speculate on whether he would be in charge when Ireland face Georgia in their next European Championship qualifier in March.

The Republic lost both their opening qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland and reports yesterday suggested McCarthy was seeking clear-the-air talks with the FAI about his immediate future. It was thought he would visit Merrion Square while in Dublin for a television appearance on Friday night’s Late Late Show but he has since pulled out.