The day Mick McCarthy dived in at the deep end

All eyes on Mick McCarthy before his first game in charge of Republic of Ireland — against Russia at Lansdowne Road on March 27, 1996. Picture: Inpho

A 2-0 defeat, a missed Steve Staunton penalty and a red card for Roy Keane: Mick McCarthy’’s rocky first game as Ireland manager, on this day 24 years ago, revisited by Liam Mackey.