Editing Mick McCarthy (section)

===Republic of Ireland===
In February 1996, McCarthy became the new manager of the Republic of Ireland football team following the resignation of [[Jack Charlton]]. His first game in charge was a friendly international against [[Russia national football team|Russia]] on 27 March which finished in a 0–2 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wright|first=Rob|date=19 March 2019|title=Where are they now? Mick McCarthy's first Ireland XI|website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0319/1037350-where-are-they-now-mick-mccarthys-first-ireland-xi/|access-date=28 January 2020}}</ref>

After two narrow failures to qualify for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], McCarthy took the nation to the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] held in South Korea and Japan after a 2–1 [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification|play-off]] aggregate win against [[Iran national football team|Iran]].<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/15/minutebyminute.sport|title= Iran 1 – 0 Ireland (agg: 1 – 2)|date=15 November 2001|work=The Guardian |access-date=18 October 2013}}</ref> Before the tournament, McCarthy was involved in a very public and bitter [[Saipan incident|spat]] with star player [[Roy Keane]], who was sent home the day before it began. The conflict occurred after Keane had questioned the quality of the preparations and facilities the team were using.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/rep_of_ireland/newsid_2012000/2012137.stm |title=Keane v McCarthy: blow-by-blow|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date= 28 May 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}</ref>

Despite this furore, McCarthy's team reached the second round but were eliminated by [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] in a [[kicks from the penalty mark|penalty shoot-out]] (after having already missed and scored a penalty in normal time). In spite of this, the Keane issue remained, with the proportion of blame undecided. Many in Ireland sided with Keane – particularly following a televised interview in which details of poor preparation were revealed – and demanded McCarthy's resignation both during and after the tournament. An independent inquiry into the organisation's handling of the squad's preparation later commissioned by the [[Football Association of Ireland]] created a damning report, leading to general secretary Brendan Menton tendering his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2002/1112/fai.html |title=Menton quits following damning FAI report| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209003252/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2002/1112/fai.html |archive-date=9 December 2008 |work=[[RTÉ]].ie|date= 12 November 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}</ref>

Criticism of McCarthy in the media became increasingly intense after a poor start to Ireland's [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10|qualifying]] campaign for [[2004 UEFA European Football Championship|Euro 2004]]. In particular, his persistence with several players and tactics that some perceived to be inadequate did him damage, as did a 4–2 away defeat to [[Russia national football team|Russia]] and a 2–1 home defeat to [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]]. Under mounting pressure, McCarthy resigned from the post on 5 November 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/2406549.stm |title=McCarthy quits Republic|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date= 6 November 2002 |access-date= 19 August 2009}}</ref> During his 68 games in charge, the Republic of Ireland won 29, drew 20 and lost 19.<ref name="ROI">{{cite web|url = http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-soccer-managers/mick-mccarthy.htm|title=Mick McCarthy – Irish Soccer Manager|publisher=Soccer Ireland|access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref>