McCarthy calls for early ruling by UEFA

In the wake of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Sweden, Mick McCarthy is more convinced than ever that an early confirmation of the European Championship programme in June, is essential.

Despite the non-competitive tag attached to the Swedish game, he believes that it was another manifestation of the buoyant morale in the Republic of Ireland squad. And he doesn't wish to see it diminished by more foot dragging in UEFA headquarters in Zurich.

"In fairness to the players, supporters and national federations, it's imperative that an announcement on the fixtures against Yugoslavia and Macedonia is made by UEFA at the earliest opportunity.

"It's particularly unfair to the players who want to know if they will be required to report for work in June or if they can at last, take a break from football.

"From our point of view, our preparations are right on schedule. But if hard decisions have to be taken, they are better made sooner than later."

At the start of the week, neither of the goal-scorers against Sweden, Graham Kavanagh or Mark Kennedy can have entered seriously into McCarthy's calculations for the European programme. Yet, the manner in which they took their goals, would have done justice to the best finishers in the game.

For Kavanagh, a 25-year-old Dubliner born just down road from the stadium in Ringsend, it was, indeed, a moment to savour. His only previous international experience amounted to just five minutes when he was brought on as a late replacement for Lee Carsley in the 2-1 defeat in the Czech Republic 13 months ago.

While the remainder of the midfield formation went in search of an equaliser, he was given the job of protecting the back four. And he discharged that instruction so faithfully, that he probably never got within 20 yards of the action in the time he was on the pitch. In the subsequent post match analyses, there some who questioned if there were any precedents for a player winning a cap without touching the ball.

That made his moment of triumph all the more fulfilling on Wednesday when, after Kevin Kilbane and Tony Cascarino had set up the chance, he uncorked that superb shot which was in the roof of the net almost before goalkeeper Magnus Kilhstedt moved a muscle in resistance.

For Kennedy, too, it was a gratifying riposte to those who had questioned his pedigree for international football. There are times, undeniably, when his languid style infuriates. In the mood, however, his skills are imposing.

Steve Carr, one sensed carried less pressures, even though he was the only debutant in either team. For some time now, it's been apparent that the only factor keeping him out of the side was the depth of the talent available to McCarthy at right back. Nothing has since changed, of course, except that the young Tottenham player seized the chance to prove that he has the temperament to match his undoubted skills.

Among the senior players in action, Niall Quinn proved that his prowess in the air is still an important part of Ireland's armoury. And McCarthy will not have missed the sense of alarm in the Swedish defence when Tony Cascarino made his way on to the park and the visitors were confronted for a short spell by two big men bearing down on top of them.

Steve Staunton performed like a player who felt that he had a point to prove at left back, never overly ambitious but doggedly determined to show that when it comes to the primary task of defending, his experience is still invaluable.

And yet in some respects, the most re-assuring spectacle of all for the Ireland manager may have been the manner in which Garry Breen blended so smoothly with Kenny Cunningham in the centre of the defence.

In the immediate context of qualifying for the European finals, that was highly informative and suggests that Phil Babb's hopes of an early return to the side, are scarcely justified.