Kinsella: My international 'time is over'

Just two appearances short of the 50-cap landmark, Republic of Ireland midfielder Mark Kinsella has admitted that his six-year international career may be at an end.

The 32-year-old, who joined League One side Walsall on a free transfer in July, told the club's website that "the time is right for me to concentrate all my efforts on club football".

"Internationally, I think I have to admit that my time is over," said the Dubliner on www.saddlers.co.uk.

"I've not been called up into the Irish squad for the two World Cup qualifiers so that suggests it's the end for me.

"I haven't spoken to Brian Kerr, so it is a disappointing way to end my international career."

Kinsella earned the last of his 48 caps in June's 1-0 friendly international win over Jamaica in London, 12 years after making his U21 debut against Albania.

He earned his first senior start under Mick McCarthy in the March 1998 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic in Olomouc.

Kinsella has made eight appearances for Paul Merson's Walsall side this season, and lines out against his former employers Colchester United on Saturday. "I started my career at Colchester and spent seven great years there at Layer Road," he said.

"I still look out for their results and would like nothing more than to see them gain promotion alongside Walsall at the end of the season."

Walsall's poor start to the campaign might negate against that, as the Saddlers lie fourth-from-bottom with just two wins from 11.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Irish goalkeeper Joe Murphy has joined Kinsella on a one-month loan deal from Barclay's Premiership side West Bromwich Albion.

Murphy, a member of Brian Kerr's U18 European Championship-winning side of 1998, won his first senior cap as a second-half substitute against Turkey in September 2003.