MICK MCCARTHY was reluctant to accept Roy Keane's explanation of his absence from the Republic of Ireland squad in recent days when questioned about the subject after last night's match.

The Republic of Ireland manager's initial reaction was to clasp his hands together. and signify that "the book is closed on that one". How ever, unknown to him at the time, Keane had opened it up again with his statement during the match.

"Not to me he hasn't," said McCarthy, who was then fed bits and pieces of it from the assembled media throng. Even in this Keane had behaved crassly, for it was no way for the Irish manager to, hear a self justifying statement which fell short of even half an apology,

McCarthy smiled ironically as he it was relayed to him. "The manager of the football team? Who requests players to come out? Who is entitled to a request, me or a ticket seller in the FAI or whoever.

"I have to tell you, if there was a request to the FAI Mick McCarthy would have received that request and I didn't. So you can decide what you want from that."

Clearly, the errant Corkman will have to do better than that. When informed that Keane had stated he wanted a rest, McCarthy laughed loudly and retorted "He's had one, hasn't he."

McCarthy repeated "Do you take my point, why are you telling me that if I want to tell somebody something, I walk up to them or pick the phone up and tell them. That's the way I do it. But then again I'm abrupt straight forward, to the point of a gentleman. That's how I'd do?

His patience running out, McCarthy closed the book one more time on this embarrassing saga. "I said all along I want to speak to Roy. I don't want to see his solicitor, no way. Shall I get my solicitor to write to his?"

Standing up, he reiterated his defence of the FAI.

It perhaps wasn't the best time to hear the first public utterances from Keane, an secondhand at that, but then that was entirely Keane's fault. Above all else, McCarthy is a competitor who hates losing.

In his statement issued to PA Sport, the Manchester United midfielder said he wants a rest from football, but that he will be ready to don the green jersey when the World Cup qualifiers begin in the autumn.

"Roy Keane regrets the publicity which has arisen during the last few days following his request to be excused from the fixtures which the Irish international team are playing during the summer," said the statement.

Such a request on his was no more than that made by several other senior members of the international squad following an arduous season in the Premiership.

"Contrary to statements made in some sections of the media, there is no absence of commitment on Roy's part to playing for his country, which he regards as the highest honour for any sportsman.

"Furthermore, he has an excellent relationship with his manager, Mick McCarthy which he would not wish to see damaged by the recent adverse press reports.

"In an effort to avoid further inaccurate press comment, Roy would like to make it clear that, prior to leaving for Italy following the FA Cup final for a few days' holiday, he endeavoured to make contact by telephone with Mick McCarthy.

"But when his efforts proved unsuccessful, a message was left with the Football Association of Ireland.

"It is Roy's earnest wish that he, now be left to enjoy, with his family, a few weeks' break from football and to resume playing for his country in a few months' time in the World Cup qualifying competition."

Keane's assertion that he had left a message with the FAI was contradicted by the general secretary Brendan Menton. "If there was a message left, we would have got it and at the close of business this evening no such message had, been received."

Pat Quigley, the FAI's president said. "It is not the function of the association to interfere with player manager relationships. It is up to the manager to do what he believes is right.