Sport

Brendan Crossan: Cranky Mick McCarthy performing better than ever with Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is edging the side closer to Euro 2020
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is edging the side closer to Euro 2020 Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is edging the side closer to Euro 2020

THERE’S an unmistakable autumnal feel in the air, the Republic of Ireland are in with a shout of qualification for a major tournament and Mick McCarthy is showing signs of crankiness.

Approaching a year in the job, things couldn’t have gone much better under McCarthy. This time last year Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s best days in charge of Ireland were firmly in their rear view.

Wales had walloped them 4-1 in their opening Uefa Nations League match in Cardiff – a ramshackle display and arguably the worst under O’Neill.

Over the next five matches the Republic scored one goal – in a 1-1 friendly against Poland – lost their home game to Wales, played out two soul-sapping scoreless draws while in between times Michael O’Neill showed his namesake what could be achieved with a limited group of players as Northern Ireland outplayed their southern counterparts in, yes, another scoreless draw in Dublin.

Somewhere in that six-game wreckage in late 2018, Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane had misplaced their colourful, mystical alchemy that delivered Euro 2016 qualification and that unforgettable night in Lille.

The last we saw of the now deposed FAI chief John Delaney at a press conference table was last November when he announced Mick McCarthy was returning as manager, but for one tournament only before handing the reins over to Dundalk’s all-conquering Stephen Kenny who would take the U21s in the interim period.

It was an altogether weird set-up. One minute, reporters were welcoming Mick back and the next we were asking about his departure.

For a straight-talking punter like McCarthy this was a tricky press conference.

We ignored the words and just stared at his coat hangar smile.

No matter how well he’d perform in the role, his contract would finish as soon as the Republic’s interest in Euro 2020 expired. The following day, reporters traipsed back to the Aviva Stadium to meet the senior manager in waiting – Stephen Kenny.

It all smacked of a John Delaney construct – leaning on Mick’s wealth of experience to deliver European qualification and good cash flow while pacifying the League of Ireland constituency, many of whom had lost faith in the head of the association.

Eleven months on, it still feels a bit weird.

The senior team is punching above its weight again and could be possibly another win away from reaching the Euro finals and the U21s are flying having won three out of three in their pursuit of a Euro finals berth.

But, whatever you do, don’t mention the U21s or any young player who might be worth blooding at senior level. Mick is not interested.

The former captain’s fuse has gotten shorter and shorter with each passing press briefing every time he’s asked about the likes of Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott or Michael Obafemi stepping up a grade.

With the Republic sitting top of Group D and facing into back-to-back away games next week against Georgia and Switzerland before rounding off their campaign next month against Denmark in Dublin, why would McCarthy start giving a youth a chance?

The appointments of McCarthy and his successor Stephen Kenny was always going to warp the senior squad in some shape or form.

For McCarthy, there is no point at looking at tomorrow’s bright young things when he won’t be part of tomorrow.

McCarthy didn’t do a great job of persuading the public a year ago about the merits of just being around for one campaign, regardless of how he performs in the job. And he’s doing a far worse job of it now.

Aside from his crankiness with some media questions, McCarthy has went about his job with absolute clarity.

It was a statement of intent when he substituted Matt Doherty – one of the few top performing English Premiership players in the squad – after the hour mark in Gibraltar.

Right then, McCarthy declared a Seamus Coleman-Matt Doherty axis down Ireland’s right side would not work – or at least not in the limited time available.

Recalling Glenn Whelan to anchor the midfield was another astute call by McCarthy. At 35, Whelan certainly doesn’t represent the future – but McCarthy isn’t too bothered about the future either.

The manager has also been able to get a tune out of Jeff Hendrick again after a couple of miserable seasons post-Euro 2016, while Conor Hourihane adds some much-needed technical ability to the Irish midfield.

David McGoldrick, whose international career stalled somewhat in recent years, has quickly emerged as Ireland’s talisman in this campaign while Enda Stevens, one of the shafts of light in the dying embers of Martin O’Neill’s reign, has been excellent at left back.

In fact, when you look at McCarthy’s body of work between March and October he could easily manage in the English Premiership, never mind hoping to net a job in the Championship after he leaves the Ireland job.

Surrounded by a nice blend of people in his backroom team, there is a genuine feel-good factor around the squad.

At international level that sense of togetherness is worth a handful of points especially when more and more top players regard qualification campaigns a bit of a drag on their time.

Of course, the Georgia and Switzerland games will tell a tale as McCarthy heads to Tbilisi possibly without three-quarters of his defence with Richard Keogh (injured) and Stevens (suspended) out and Shane Duffy currently sidelined with a calf problem.

John Egan’s impressive form for Sheffield United, however, could cushion the blow and Greg Cunningham has answered McCarthy’s SOS as back-up at left back for the Georgia game.

Things will probably get weirder around the Republic set-up as the handover edges closer.

In the meantime, don’t ask Mick about the future and blooding a few U21s.