McCarthy praises players

Keane holds off Onopko's challenge

BBC Sport Online's Lyle Jackson reports from Dublin

Mick McCarthy has hailed his current squad as the strongest he has had in six years as Republic of Ireland manager.

McCarthy gave a string of young players a chance to shine in the World Cup build-up as the Republic beat Russia 2-0 at Lansdowne Road.

And he was delighted with what he saw from the likes of Stephen Reid, debutant Colin Healy and Clinton Morrison.

The players who came on the scene when I took the job in 1996 have all improved

Mick McCarthy

Reid, winning his second cap, opened the scoring after just two minutes with Robbie Keane heading the other midway through the first half.

"They all did really well," said McCarthy.

"I tried to mix youth with experience and there were some mature performances from players of a tender age."

McCarthy said the youngsters had given him something to think about as he ponders the make-up of his 23-man squad for Japan.

"They showed they can compete at this level. If not for this World Cup, certainly for the European Championship qualifiers," said McCarthy.

"There is no doubt this is my strongest squad.

"The players who came on the scene when I took the job in 1996 have all improved, individually and collectively as a team.

"And I include myself in that. We are all stronger and closer-knit."

'Dream come true'

McCarthy brought on seven substitutes at the start of the second half and then made a further five changes, which meant 23 Irish players got a taste of the action.

Celtic midfielder Healy, currently on-loan at Coventry, was named man-of-the-match even though he only played for the first 45 minutes.

"I could not believe it when they called out my name," said the 21-year-old.

"To get my first cap is something else, but to play alongside Roy Keane is a dream come true.

"Not so long ago I was just a kid watching him on television."

Keane clashes with Russia's Titov

McCarthy has further spring friendlies against Denmark and the USA lined up for Lansdowne Road.

But he may well have settled on Robbie Keane and Damien Duff as his partnership up front.

"They were terrific," said the Ireland manager.

"Damien must have run Colin a close second for the man of the match award. It will be hard to break that partnership up.

"The movement they showed, and their ability, causes huge problems for defenders."

Overall, McCarthy was well pleased with the night's work which was a reversal of the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Russia in his first match in charge in March 1996.

"I know when I watch the tape there will be things I am not happy about," said McCarthy.

"They had too many chances for my liking.

"But it is a win anyway. I do not think they came to take it easy and I did not put out my strongest team."