Ministers Ross and Griffin pay tribute to Mick McCarthy

"I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Mick McCarthy who has done so much for Irish football over the years. When Mick resumed duties as manager of the men’s senior international team the team were at something of a low ebb.

"With his wealth of coaching experience at the highest level, Mick soon righted the ship and achieved some great results at home and away. It is regrettable that the team’s qualifier against Slovakia has had to be postponed, along with the European Championships, but it is clear that the team are in much better shape to clinch qualification later in the year.

"I would also like to recognise the leadership Mick McCarthy showed during the last year when the FAI was dealing with challenges off the pitch. It is to his credit that these issues never distracted from the team’s performance. I would like to wish Mick, Fiona and their family all the best for the future.”

"I would like to pay tribute to Mick McCarthy as he steps down as manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team. As a player, captain, and twice manager, Mick has been a great servant to Irish football. It is unfortunate that he will not see the team through the final Euros qualifying phase later this year, but he is handing over the reins to an excellent coach in Stephen Kenny.

"I would like to thank Mick for his sterling work and to wish Stephen the best of luck for the qualifiers in the autumn.”