McCarthy keen to open new chapter

Mick McCarthy today tried to close the book on the Roy Keane affair as it threatened to overshadow his side's preparation for their European Championship qualifier against Russia.

"This story will follow me to the grave," he said to curious local and Irish journalists when asked again about his former captain.

"When I am 85 and grey, with no teeth and a raggedy old walk, I'll be on my way up the street for a pint when someone will shout, 'There's the b****** that sent Roy Keane home from the World Cup.'

"There is nothing I can do about that. It saddens me that we are sitting here in Moscow hours before the opening game of a European qualifying bid and people are still asking me about it.

"My focus now is on the Russia game and taking something out of Moscow. That's what I really want to talk about but the other subject keeps coming up, time and time again."

The man who will captain Ireland tomorrow, Kenny Cunningham, also refused to be drawn on the subject of his predecessor. "We are here to concentrate on the game and that is all we want to do," said the Birmingham defender.

West Ham's recent signing Gary Breen will start his first competitive match of the season when he partners Cunningham in central defence. He too is keen to look ahead. "I am sick of people telling me what a great World Cup we had," he said. "My memories of the World Cup are a real mixed bag. I enjoyed every minute of the experience but the overriding memory is one of disappointment."