McCarthy glad of reality check

The Republic of Ireland will today be carried on a wave of emotion across to the Far East - despite Nigeria gatecrashing the farewell party for Mick McCarthy’s boys.

The rousing reception from a passionate 43,000 Lansdowne Road crowd as McCarthy and his 23-man squad performed a lap of honour, masked the fact those same supporters had just witnessed their side’s two-year unbeaten home record come to an end.