Birthday boy McCarthy 'loving' life with Ireland

It took a while but Giovanni Trapattoni’s presence at grounds cross-channel is becoming a bit more regular these days. After watching Wes Hoolahan in action for Norwich at Carrow Road and taking in a drab draw between Stoke and Sunderland, which had a major Irish influence on either side, the Italian was at the DW Stadium last Saturday to watch two of his younger talents: James McCarthy and Shane Long.

Long’s impact in the green jersey has been minimal of late, to the annoyance of many supporters who felt the manager was giving the Tipperary striker a hard time by keeping him on the bench. McCarthy, however, has prospered recently, picking up the man of the match award in the Trap-job-saving win at the Faroe Islands.

“It was good for him to come and watch myself and Shane,” the Wigan player said yesterday as the Irish squad gathered in Dublin ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Greece.  “He said to me well done about the game and unlucky with the result.”

McCarthy, who turns 22 today, is expecting to earn his ninth cap against the Greeks in a midfield that is also expected to include Hoolahan. He added: “It is brilliant to be involved and the boys make me feel so welcome. I love coming away for Ireland and I’m enjoying playing games.”

This is the first game at home since Ireland’s 6-1 mauling at the hands of Germany and McCarthy knows what the team need to do.  “It is important to get back to winning ways at home in front of the Aviva crowd after the bad-bad-bad result against Germany.  We were all so gutted.  It was a bad performance from everyone.  As a team we know we can do much better than that.”

Four days later, in the unusual surroundings of Torshavn, Ireland responded well with a 4-1 away win in the Faroes. It was a victory which relieved enough pressure to keep Trap in his job.  “It was brilliant to have a game so quick in the Faroes Islands so we could get back on track and we did that with a good performance.

“It is not an easy place to go as it is on astroturf.  You look at Sweden who went there and struggled.  I thought we passed the ball really well.  It was a really good night.  It was brilliant for me to get man of the match and brilliant to be part of the team who got a great win.”

The tranquillity of the Faroes reminded McCarthy of Donegal, the home of his grandfather.  “It was a nice place.  It was similar to Donegal and also high up in Scotland.  It had a lot of sheep!  The most important thing was to go out there and get a result and we came away with three points.”

The midfielder of course missed the European Championship due to the illness of his father and McCarthy explained that this Dad “is still getting treatment” having undergone chemotherapy and is currently on radiotherapy.  “He is positive and that is the main thing and hopefully that continues.”

McCarthy’s footballing focus, meanwhile, is now on helping Ireland get to Brazil in 2014 having moved on from the Euros which he described as “a bad tournament for us.”  Ireland may struggle to top the group but are just a point behind Sweden in second place in Group C.  “Obviously you want first position or at least second spot.  It is going to be tough but we will be giving it our best shot.  It would be a dream come true to go and play the World Cup.”

James McCarthy appears in FIFA 13 Ultimate Team where you can build, manage and compete with your own Ultimate Team. Sign up now via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. For more information visit ea.com/intl/football/