Managing a conversation

ROY KEANE and Mick McCarthy have taken tentative steps towards resolving the most divisive and bitter row in the history of Irish sport.

McCarthy was Republic of Ireland manager when midfielder Keane was thrown out of the Republic of Ireland camp in Saipan ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Keane is now manager at Sunderland and Wolves boss McCarthy has revealed he has been in contact with the Cork man regarding the availability on loan of Black Cats defender Neill Collins.

Sources confirmed that both parties were anxious to ease tensions ahead of their Championship clash at Molineux on November 24.

Revealed McCarthy yesterday: “I wanted to enquire about a couple of players and I always believe that you should speak to the manager direct. That’s no different with Roy now he is manager at Sunderland, so I picked up the phone and he accepted the call.”

He added: “We both felt it was the right time to talk and it was a cordial conversation. We chatted about the players and a couple of other things that will remain private.

“It’s been four years now and it should be put to bed. Life goes on. The only two people who weren’t getting anything out of it were me and Roy. It’s the media that drives it on and we’ve both got difficult enough jobs without others putting spanners in it.”

Wolves face Keane’s Sunderland at Molineux on November 24, and could soon have Black Cats defender Neill Collins in their line-up. McCarthy is closing in on a loan deal for former Scotland U-21 defender Collins, whom he signed from Dumbarton in 2004 when in charge at Sunderland.

According to Keane, discussions are at an advanced stage, and a one-month loan deal could be struck by the end of the week.