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.

“I looked at the fixtures and I have to be honest – I’d sooner be going to France in the second leg than going to Portugal, Russia or Greece,” the Wolves manager said.

“I wouldn’t be so negative about playing France, and they did finish second in the group remember.

“If they can keep a clean sheet in Ireland I’d be happier going to France than going to Greece with the atmosphere there, or Russia, possibly playing on a plastic pitch, or Portugal, who I’ve seen playing in the last three games and probably shouldn’t have ended up in the play-offs.’’

Ireland face Raymond Domenech’s side at Croke Park on November 14 before travelling to the Stade de France four days later for the second leg.

Many feel Ireland’s hopes of reaching South Africa would have been better served by playing the away leg first.

McCarthy agrees and is well placed to comment given he lead Ireland to the play-offs for major competition three times during his six-year spell in charge.

“Ireland have never had an away leg first, not since I can remember,’’ McCarthy recalled.

“Belgium at home, Belgium away, Turkey at home, Turkey away, Iran at home, Iran away. They don’t come much harder than that in the last game – Turkey and Iran away.’’

Nevertheless McCarthy is confident Ireland can overcome the French to clinch a place in the finals.

“I think they can do it, because they are hard to beat and Trapattoni has got a list of successes as long as my arm and my leg put together,’’ McCarthy said.

“There’s every chance they can do it because they’ve got good players and they’ll have the belief.”

* Mick McCarthy was speaking ahead of his Wolves visit to Ferrycarrig Park to face Wexford Youths FC next Monday as part of the deal that saw Irish international Kevin Doyle move to Molineux from Reading during the summer.