Mick McCarthy says he will leave the tennis racket behind on Tuesday amid claims that some Ireland fans could throw tennis balls on the pitch in protest over John Delaney.
A report today suggests supporters will stage a protest at the Euro 2020 qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Aviva Stadium following Delaney’s sideways move to a new role in the association after a week of controversy.
But McCarthy is urging the Green Army not to bother and would rather they get behind his team and inspire the players to a second win on the spin following Saturday's edgy 1-0 victory away to minnows Gibraltar.
Quizzed about Delaney’s new title of ‘Executive Vice President' of the FAI, McCarthy chuckled and said: “That’s going to be a hell of a title for his door…a wide door.”
But on reports of a protest, McCarthy said: “I can’t do anything about it. I’m not going to take a tennis racket with me. It’s not going to help us play any better, that’s for sure. I hope it’s not the case and that we can overlook that.
“The fans want us to win and to give us the best chance of that, get behind us. They're the best fans, they're fabulous and I’d like them to support the team. If they have to demonstrate then I’d like if they do it somewhere else and at another time.
“Unless it’s guaranteed that there's going to be one, I’m not going to talk about it any more as it’s hypothetical. We’re coming to play a game and that’s my issue. I don’t get involved in things I can’t affect and this is one of them.
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“The only thing I can affect is our performance in the game and pinning everything down in training and preparation. If we do that, then people will have a better feeling about the team and that’s all I want.
“We had great a feeling in '88, '90, '94 and 2002 and the mood is great when the fans are behind us.”
Shane Duffy has emerged as a doubt for tomorrow’s game after sitting out this morning’s training session in Abbotstown with an ankle problem. The Brighton defender will have a scan later today.
McCarthy said: “We’ll see if there’s anything serious. I don’t think there is. I hope he’s okay but he may not be.”
