Domenech was considered as possible successor to McCarthy

RAYMOND DOMENECH was a strong contender to succeed Mick McCarthy as Ireland national team manager in 2002 but failed to make the shortlist, it emerged yesterday.

In a dramatic development that adds spice to the World Cup play-off at Croke Park and Stade de France, former FAI head-hunter Bryan Hamilton confirmed to the Irish Examiner that he met the current French boss in a Paris airport as part of the search-and-selection process that led to the appointment of Brian Kerr in January 2003.

“Raymond Domenech impressed me as a very serious football man who had vast experience dealing with different personalities as manager of the French underage set-up,” Hamilton recalled.