World Cup: McCarthy relies on Kinsella/Holland partnership

Mick McCarthy is banking on the midfield partnership of Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland to nail down the Republic’s place in the World Cup finals.

Manager McCarthy will recall Charlton’s Kinsella to partner Ipswich midfielder Holland in the Azabi Stadium on Thursday when the Irish have to defend a 2-0 first-leg lead without injured Roy Keane in the play-off decider with Iran.