No sign of Irwin giving in

Mick McCarthy is likely to be counselling against rash action by Denis Irwin when they meet in the coming weeks to discuss his medium-term commitment to the national team.

Irwin, 35 this year, was incorrectly reported as having made up his mind to quit the Ireland scene in the wake of the ill-fated European Championship play-off against Turkey in November.

With the travail of that punitive journey to Bursa still fresh in his memory, he acknowledges, however, that the problems of fitting international assignments into a crowded schedule with Manchester United aren't getting any easier.

That's a problem which is shared, of course, by Roy Keane as United's programme grows more demanding by the year, but, at 28, the midfielder is still some way off the day when he, too, will have to give due consideration to the difficulties of marrying successful club and international careers.

Irwin insists, however, that he has not, as yet, given any serious thought to taking his leave of international football.

"I was as surprised as anybody when I read that I was ready to quit," be said. "I think it was a case of somebody putting two and two together. Tony Cascarino had just announced his retirement and since I'm now the oldest player left in the squad, it was natural that my name would then begin to surface in the speculation.

"International football has always been special for me and I've always felt privileged to play for Ireland. But with so much travel involved in football these days, it doesn't get any easier.

"At this point, I certainly haven't made any hard and fast decisions and I'll be waiting until I talk it through with Mick before deciding where I go from here."

McCarthy, like his predecessor, Jack Charlton, has always been slow to retire players for the very good reason that he operates with a relatively small squad and adequate replacements are not always readily forthcoming.

In this case, there is the added consideration that Irwin is still playing exceptionally well, with the advancing years only marginally impinging on his pace in recovery. And given the player's proven qualities in deadball situations, McCarthy would like an option on Irwin's services for the next World Cup campaign.

"I've never been aware of any intention by Denis to quit international football, but I will, of course, be ready to talk it through with him if he wishes to do so," he said.

"From where I was stood, he was as sound and as dependable as ever, in our European Championship games.

"With Manchester United now so heavily committed, it's easy to understand how players could react to long trips abroad. But when we sit down and talk it out, we should be able to come up with one or two options."

Part of the solution may be to excuse both Irwin and Keane from friendly games, unless they wish to be involved. Both are almost certain to opt out of the US Cup tournament in America in June.

This is Irwin's testimonial year at Old Trafford, and while the bulk of his testimonial programme will be sited in England, it is understood that a celebrity golf tournament will be held in his honour in Dublin in May.

Currently, he is negotiating an extension of his contract with United and, if he steers clear of injury, who is to say that he will not make the additional 19 appearances needed to qualify him for a testimonial game from the FAI.