McCarthy backs Irish to stun France in play-off

FORMER Ireland manager Mick McCarthy believes France were the best draw Ireland could have got for next month’s World Cup play-off.

After FIFA’s controversial decision to seed the draw Giovanni Trapattoni’s side knew they would have to navigate a route past one of Russia, Portugal, France or Greece.

Many felt Greece would be easiest opponents of that quartet but McCarthy, who led Ireland to their last major finals, the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, disagrees.