Soccer: McCarthy keeping one eye on Portuguese clash

Mick McCarthy will keep the Republic of Ireland wrapped up in cotton wool for their June clash with Portugal rather than take risks against Andorra at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night.

Despite skipper Roy Keane and record goalscorer Niall Quinn nursing familiar injuries, boss McCarthy has decided to do without striker Robbie Keane, centre-back Kenny Cunningham and winger Jason McAteer for the World Cup Group Two clash with the part-timers from the Pyrenees.