McCarthy out the door

MICK McCARTHY walked away from the Irish job last night, as he always said he would, with his head high and chest out believing it was the right time.

After weeks of frenzied speculation, McCarthy faced his end in the dignified manner he approached the job. His decision, he said, was simply based on what was best of the team. His only regret, that he was leaving no European Championship points for his successor to build on.

"It was a tough decision, but it was the right decision, completely and accurately. And it was my decision, I was not pushed," McCarthy said, referring to suggestions moves were afoot in Merrion Square to remove him from his post.

He realised his managerial reign had come to an end in the despondent Lansdowne Road dressing-room, following the Swiss game. That defeat brought jeers and catcalls from the stands, but that wasn't what made up McCarthy's mind.

"I could see the players didn't enjoy that game, they didn't enjoy the atmosphere before the game. This decision was made for the good of the team. My presence was affecting performances, maybe not my presence but certain things surrounding my presence.

"I didn't resign after the game because that would have been a knee-jerk reaction. I went away and thought about it, nothing has changed. This is the best decision for all concerned."

McCarthy, who won 57 caps in his playing days with Ireland, talked about the great privilege of being Irish manager for so long, and wouldn't dwell on his fractious relationship with many within the Irish media, in the moment of his departure.

"I feel immense pride in being given the opportunity to do this job and must thank the FAI. They backed me at times when people wanted me out of the job, and I have always been proud to do that job."

Even in the Burlington Hotel last night, there was a whiff of sulphur. The ghost of Roy Keane's international career has followed McCarthy from Saipan, and probably contributed more than anything to his departure.

"I made a decision in the summer and I have no regrets over anything I did in the summer. We had a brilliant competition. But, that is something that has carried on from the World Cup and there is nothing I can do about it."

Despite all that has followed on from certain events in the World Cup, McCarthy still believes that to be the highlight of his reign. "Playing in the World Cup finals has to be the highlight. It was an incredible experience."

With the benefit of hindsight, does he feel maybe he should have left with the cheers of 100,000 people in Phoenix Park ringing in his ears?

"Perhaps. But, that's with hindsight. I stayed because I believed we could make it to Euro 2004, thought we had the players to qualify. Usually, people leave these jobs because they are on the wane. Even after two bad results, I don't believe that's the case. They are a wonderful bunch of lads and I wish whomever takes over every success."

FAI President Milo Corcoran paid tribute to McCarthy, and his assistant Ian Evans who also resigned. "His tenure as manager of the Irish team should be judged on the excellent results achieved during his period. He has taken the team to 14th in the world and the last 16 of the world cup. The achievements speaks volumes for his ability."

How high McCarthy's stock will be when posts become vacant in the Premiership remains to be seen. West Ham and Aston Villa may soon be searching for a new manager. McCarthy has made little secret of wanting to test himself in the English league. The record of his 68 games: 29 victories, 19 draws and 20 defeats, belies the fact that he had to re-construct a team early in his tenure.

"Management is what I do. Unless somebody is looking for a 43 year old centre-back, it is what I will continue to do. I just want to thank everyone who supported me in the job."

An Irish fan, Alan Evans, smuggled himself into the press conference, and deciding he was the spokesperson for a nation, said Irish supporters held McCarthy in the highest regard.

So after 18 years involved in some capacity with the Irish team, Mick McCarthy's reign as the longest-serving international manager is at an end. One hopes his six and three-quarter years is not remembered for one incident with his best player, but it looks like it might be. As the conference was drawing to an end, there was a few more questions about you-know-who.

"Irish football is often in the headlines for the wrong reasons. I think what's a little sad about the whole thing was one of the best players in the world didn't play in the world cup." Okay, Mick, but one more Roy Keane question.

"It is no longer my problem," McCarthy swiftly answered, and for a moment, a smile flickered into his eyes.