McCarthy sympathy for crocked Carr
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy today paid a special tribute to Tottenham full back Stephen Carr and expressed his sadness and disappointment that the youngster had missed out on going to the World Cup finals.
Carr has failed to make the trip to Korea and Japan after missing the entire season with a knee injury, and as McCarthy named his 23-man squad for the finals he said Carr deserved to be playing on the world stage after having helped the Republic to qualify.
‘‘In my mind, Stevie was the best young full-back in Europe when we went to Estonia and played in Portugal and Holland,’’ said McCarthy. ‘‘It is a big disappointment for me that he won’t be there.
‘‘There is a kid who really deserves to be playing on the world stage, because he is an absolute star.
‘‘I have spoken to him on a number of occasions and I hope his recovery is okay and he starts to play next season, and then he can get back with us.’’
Carr’s Tottenham team mate Gary Doherty is also unlucky to have missed out on the trip to the Far East.
Although he played a part in helping the Republic to qualify, he missed seven months of the season because of a broken ankle, and McCarthy said he felt Doherty lacked the necessary fitness needed for the finals.
