McCarthy has no intention of resigning

Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he has no intention of resigning his position as Ireland boss after the World Cup finals.

McCarthy has come under fire for his handling of the Roy Keane affair - but speaking at a press conference in Izumo in the last hour he dismissed suggestions that he will resign his position after the finals.

Speaking at McCarthy's side FAI General Secretary Brendan Menton said the events of the last few days had brought the Association and the manager closer together and he said he hoped McCarthy will remain on as Irish boss for many years to come.

Meanwhile Ireland's 22-man World Cup squad trained for the first time away from the shadow of the Roy Keane saga this morning as preparations began in earnest for Saturday's opening game with Cameroon in Nigata.

Jason McAteer gave manager Mick McCarthy a boost when he took part in some light training for the first time since picking up a knee injury against Hiroshima last weekend.

The Sunderland man is hopeful of a return to full training tomorrow, which gives him an outside chance of making the starting line-up come the weekend.