Staunton praised by old boss

Mick McCarthy yesterday expressed support for the man who holds his former job as Republic of Ireland manager, predicting Steve Staunton is on course for some good times with the national team.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow afternoon's friendly at Dalymount Park between Bohemians and Wolves, McCarthy shrugged off the suggestion Staunton had been finding life difficult.

"Remind me how the last seven or eight games have gone?" he asked (Ireland have won four and drawn three games since losing 5-2 in Cyprus, including two defeats of San Marino and the two end-of-season draws in the United States). He seems to be doing all right to me. Ireland are in a tough group but they have gone on a very good run, so fair play to Stan.

"If he has done that in the last four games the introduction of the younger players will just add to it. I had a similar period but we turned it around.

"When you bring young players in they are not going to have the experience of qualifying games. It's a different ball game against the top players. They lack nous but they bring enthusiasm and it rubs off on other people."

McCarthy's panel for tomorrow's game includes a number of players who have been elevated to the senior international squad by Staunton, and the manager paid tribute to the impact made by those who have moved to Molineux since his own arrival, in particular Darren Potter.

"If you don't get into the first team, you can become known as a good reserve-team player and people wonder do they have the ability to be first-team players," said McCarthy of former Liverpool midfielder Potter.

"It can be quite difficult at the likes of the top clubs. You have to be exceptional to get into the first team. But Darren has played 80 or 90 per cent of our games since he came to us and the way he has played has been exceptional."

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday(3.0 unless stated)

League of Ireland - Premier Division: Bohemians v Derry City (7.00), Longford Town v UCD (7.30). First Division: Kildare County v Monaghan Utd (7.30) Kilkenny City v Dundalk (7.30) Wexford Youths v Cobh Ramblers (6.30)

Uefa Intertoto Cup(Third Round first leg): AA Gent v AaB (6.30), Cherno More v Sampdoria (5.0), Chornomorets v Lens (5.00), FC Dacia v Hamburg (6.00), Gloria Bistrita v Atletico Madrid, Otelul Galati v Trabzonspor (4.00)

Sunday(3.0 unless stated)

League of Ireland - Premier Division: Cork v Drogheda Utd.

Uefa Intertoto Cup(Third Round first leg): FK Vetra v Blackburn (5.0) Hajduk Kula v Uniao Leiria (5.0) Hammarby v FC Utrecht Tobol Kostanay v OFI Crete (2.30)

Friendly: Bohemians v Wolves.