Mick McCarthy has just announced a 23 man squad to represent our nation in the 2002 World Cup Finals, Korea/Japan. As predicted on this Website (Current news 04/05/02), the three goalkeepers and the 17 outfield players, were all but concrete in Micks plans. However the issue was still on hand as to whether to include Dunne, O'Brien, Kennedy, Healy, Carsley or Reid. And for both Healy and Reid, it may be heartache right now, but time is only on their side now as the future of the Republic of Ireland squads striking and midfield options have both lost out on this occasion.

Sads, Carr & Keith O'Neill are all injured and wouldnt have travelled. While Jeff Kenna, Curtis Fleming, Alan Mahon, Alan Maybury, Gareth Farrelly and Dominic Foley have been out of sight, and in the back of Micks mind it would seem.They had little - to - nothing to do with the Teams qualification rounds. Time was not on Gary Dohertys side as injury foreced him to a second choice in Micks mind. Delap, although playing well for Southampton didnt deliver when necessary. Sporting Lisbons Phil Babb was unlikely to feature, as he has been out of favour since the Harcourt Street incident almost 2 years ago.

Stephen McPhail must be feeling it the worst this morning, as his assistance in the qualifiers was apparent. And if it had not been for his out of favour at Leeds, and had first team football been granted to him by O'Leary, surely McPhail would have travelled. Instead he got a loan to Millwall

The squad which WILL DO US PROUD'

This is the World Cup Squad