Keane factor to influence
Ireland's future
Stephen Wood
Just as the name of Roy Keane helped precipitate Mick McCarthy's decline as Ireland manager, so the Manchester United midfielder will loom large in the appointment of a successor.
McCarthy resigned his post after 6-1/2 years on Tuesday night, conceding that the fall out from his public bust-up with Keane on the eve of this year's World Cup had begun to affect his ability to lead the Irish.
The English-born coach insisted he had "no regrets" about his handling of the Keane saga, but the relief that he could now leave it all behind was evident.
Asked whether his departure would smooth the way for Keane to come out of international exile, McCarthy said: "That doesn't interest me.
"It's sad that one of the best players in the world did not play at the World Cup, and that myself, as someone who had given their all for Ireland as a player and manager, was affected by it all.
"(But) whoever comes in now will have to deal with the issue."
Keane was sent home from the Far East and stripped of the captaincy after a row with McCarthy before Ireland went on to reach the second round of the World Cup.
INCREASING PRESSURE
With Keane absent after he and Mcarthy vowed never to work with each other again, Ireland lost their opening two Euro 2004 qualifiers, increasing the pressure on McCarthy.
Many Ireland fans were looking forward on Tuesday night to a new regime with Cork-born Keane at its heart.
The new man at the helm is likely to have to prove his loyalties towards the 31-year-old, while hoping Keane is prepared to come out of international exile.
Keane's biographer, Eamon Dunphy, said on Tuesday there was no reason why Keane would not want to reacquaint himself with the green of Ireland.
"There has never been anything to suggest that Roy will not play for his country," Dunphy told Sky Sports television.
"He has never had a difficulty with any other manager...in a long and distinguished career."
Keane has always maintained that he did not want the World Cup fiasco to be his last experience with Ireland.
John Aldridge and Joe Kinnear were installed as favourites to succeed McCarthy, with an Irish bookmaker receiving a "flood of money" on former Ireland and Tottenham Hotspur defender Kinnear, the coach at English second division club Luton Town.
PRESTIGIOUS
Aldridge, the ex-Liverpool and Ireland striker, said he would "swim the Irish Sea" to get the job.
"It is a prestigious and privileged position, and I'm sure there will be a lot of people wanting it," he told Sky Sports.
"I stated when I was manager of (English league club) Tranmere Rovers that I would be delighted to manage my country one day.
"I know the (players) very well but we'll have to wait and see."
Crucially, Aldridge passed the Keane test.
"Me and Roy get on fine...he's one of the best players in the world," he said.
"It is pivotal that whoever takes the job resolves that situation."
Jason McAteer, the midfielder who has also fallen out with Keane, insists the former Ireland captain's departure from the World Cup should not be linked with McCarthy's resignation.
"Mick didn't kick him out (of the World Cup squad)," said McAteer. "It was Roy's decision to go.
"The power of the pen is mighty these days -- certain journalists never wanted Mick to have the job for six years...at every chance they've had, they have stuck the knife in."
Don Givens, the Ireland under-21 coach, was named caretaker manager of the senior squad for Ireland's friendly against Greece on November 20.
But even Givens will not be able to call on Keane, for he is still recuperating from a hip operation.
The new Ireland manager will also have to do without Keane until he regains fitness, which should come in good time for Ireland's next competitive fixture -- a Euro 2004 qualifying match against Georgia in March 2003.
