Soccer: McCarthy enjoys side's performance

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said he had enjoyed watching the 1-1 draw much more than the result.

"It’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster," McCarthy said.

"It was a great game to watch. We had some terrific spells and some iffy spells, as did Portugal.

"Both could have won it and both could have lost it. Overall I’m delighted with my players."

Conditions during the game had a lot to do with the 1-1 draw felt McCarthy.

"The wind played a hell of a part in the game. Their good spells came from us giving it away cheaply.

"I thought we were the best side at the beginning of the second half. We sat back and went deep which was not what I wanted us to do."

Scorer Roy Keane came in for special praise from McCarthy despite the Manchester United player picking up a booking which sees him banned from the next qualifier.

"No question about man of the match - Roy Keane was head and shoulders above everybody. He’ll be missed in Estonia but through adversity comes strength."

Striker Niall Quinn tipped Ipswich’s Matt Holland to replace Keane against Estonia on Wednesday, and also predicted a difficult finish to their qualifying campaign for the Republic.

"This group is going to be a photo finish," said the Sunderland front man.