IRELAND'S hopes of arranging a World Cup warm up game in February are now remote. Unless a fixture can be put in place within the next 10 days, Mick McCarthy may be forced to abandon an integral part of his preparations for the game in Macedonia in April.

There have been a number of unsuccessful proposals and the latest came after negotiations for a game against South Korea at a neutral venue in Singapore on February 11th were called off at the weekend.

Financial arrangements for the match were said to be basic but acceptable. The bigger consideration by far, however, was the imposition of a 13 hour air journey for a friendly fixture at a time of year when players are already under some stress.

"Mick McCarthy was of the opinion that club managers in England would not be particularly receptive to the prospect of players returning home exhausted after a round trip of 26 hours," said Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive.

"The date is proving very difficult to fill and unless we have arrangements in place by the end of next week, it may be that we will have to forget about it. The fall back option is to bring the players together for training at a venue in England in February and while there is obviously no substitute for match practice, it would at least have the merit of breaking the long gap between then and April."

Brazil's offer to host a game on February 26th still stands, but whereas February 12th is a closed date in the Premiership because of England's World Cup game against Italy at Wembley, there would be obvious difficulties in assembling a strong team a fortnight later.

None of the three European countries (Norway, Denmark and the Czech Republic) who are uncommitted on February 12th is in a position to play at home on that date. Ireland, too, are forced to travel because of the unavailability of Lansdowne Road.

Although Jack Charlton eventually lost his appetite for fixtures in February because of the problems in securing the release of players, his successor is much more enthusiastic about the prospect.

Not only would it afford him the chance of concentrating minds for the big tests in Macedonia and Romania in April it would give him the opportunity to include fringe players in the travelling party.

Among those already mentioned in this context were David Connolly, Dave Savage and Mark Kinsella, and the name of the young Tottenham full back Steve Carr has now been added.

Carr, elevated to regular first team status by Gerry Francis this season, has already impressed in international competition at youth and under 21 level.

There was a welcome thaw in the chilly relationship between the FAI and members of the National League refereeing panel yesterday when, following a meeting in Dublin, Tommy Traynor rescinded his decision to withdraw from the panel for National League games.

As yet there is no indication that Michael Tomney, who announced his withdrawal at the same time as Traynor, is having second thoughts The newly created post of National League chief executive, which attracted a response of more than 60 when the it was first advertised, will be filled at a meeting of the management committee next Monday.