A DECISION on whether Mick McCarthy's two year contract as manager of the Republic of Ireland soccer team will be extended for another two years has been deferred until June 7th.

A meeting of the FAT Council in Dublin yesterday mandated the association's five senior officers, together with Bernard O'Byrne, the chief executive, to meet with McCarthy within the next fortnight to discuss the matter.

The six men are expected to bring back a report for the first Council meeting of the new season, to be held immediately after the annual general meeting in Athlone on June 7th, and all the indications are that a new deal with the manager will then be approved.

"There was no negativity at today's meeting. But, in fairness, the topic took up only five to 10 minutes into a long meeting, lasting two hours," said O'Byrne.

Mick came to us after the Romanian game and said that he would appreciate clarification of his contractual arrangement with us ahead of the December meeting when his position was scheduled to be reviewed.

"What we have now decided is to make a calm and structured response to that request. We'll go and listen to what Mick has to say and we'll go into the talks in a positive mood.

"I'm on record as saying that I would like him to continue in the job until after the next European Championships, but that's for the 52 members of Council to decide, after we've reported back on our meeting with the manager."

Before meeting the press to outline yesterday's development, O'Byrne had private talks with McCarthy. Later, O'Byrne said that the manager expressed his willingness to meet with officers of the FAI and to explain the merits of early clarification of his contract.

Meanwhile, Roy Keane was among the early arrivals at the Irish team's hotel in Dublin for next Wednesday's World Cup game against Liechtenstein.