Madam, - Kevin Kenny writes (October 18th) that Brian Kerr should be judged on results alone. Well then, let us compare Mick McCarthy's results over the equivalent period of time that Kerr has been manager of the national side (10 matches).
McCarthy managed to win three matches, draw two, and lose five (one of those to the giants of world football, the US). In the same period of time Kerr has won six, drawn three, and lost one match.
The statement that Kerr can "compare favourably with middle-ranking sides. . .but not good teams" and that he needs to "gain the same level of success as his predecessors" presupposes that McCarthy achieved those levels of success. However, a cursory glance over McCarthy's record would show that he brought the team to one major tournament only, managing to beat one team only (Saudia Arabia - a "middle ranking side", as Mr Kenny would put it) in that same tournament. Outside of this, one notable victory was achieved - the 1-0 win against Holland in Landsdowne Road. No other major footballing nation was beaten by one of Mick McCarthy's sides. With respect to the present qualifying campaign, the two quality sides (Russia and Switzerland apparently) both beat Ireland when McCarthy was in charge, only one of them (Switzerland) managed the same feat with Brian Kerr at the helm.
The truth of the matter is that football matches are won by the players that are out on the pitch, not the manager that puts them there. Unfortunately the present team is no more than average. Hopefully the break afforded them due to recent results will reignite their desire to play to their full abilities for their country and show their skills on a world stage. - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN WRENN, Rushbrook Crescent, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.