Main content

Proper Football With Mick McCarthy

Mick McCarthy chats to Kammy and Ben about Italia 90, what it was like working with Jack Charlton and how that infamous row with Roy Keane in Japan affected him

Jack Charlton, Roy Keane and Toto Schillaci are just some of the names dropped this week as former Republic of Ireland defender and manager Mick McCarthy joins Kammy and Ben on the pod.

He recalls what he says was 鈥渢he best time of his life鈥 as Ireland captain, from shirt swapping with Franco Baresi to gaining an audience with the Pope, and how he and Ruud Gullit effectively decided the result of a match during that memorable tournament. He also talks about his love for Big Jack and why he deserves more acclaim for his achievements in the late 80s and early 90s.

He also talks about his time as manager of the Ireland squad and why he wouldn鈥檛 change anything about what happened with Keane following their infamous row in Saipan.

Elsewhere, how did Ray Houghton, a spoon and an unsuspecting Ireland fan give Mick the biggest laugh of his football career? Did he really have a hit single and why did he have a race with a journalist..and did he win?

ADVISORY: Mick refers to his Republic of Ireland team-mate Pat Bonner as 鈥楶ackie鈥, which is a commonly used abbreviation of the name 鈥楶atrick鈥 in Ireland, and how he was widely known throughout his playing career.

Release date:

Available now

54 minutes

Podcast