THE Republic of Ireland are still awaiting their first win under Mick McCarthy after receding from a position of apparent authority to fall to perhaps, the most disappointing defeat of the new reign in Boston's Foxboro Stadium yesterday.

David Connolly appeared to have made the decisive breakthrough after Niall Quinn, cleverly switching the direction of the attack, had established the opening for a finely executed goal in the 57th minute.

Unfortunately, that advantage lasted no more than 90 seconds and once the Americans had been reprieved, they quickly set about the task of undermining an Irish defence which had performed adequately to that point.

It was Tab Ramos, a survivor from the American team which beat the Irish three years ago, who turned the day sour for Ireland after a corner kick had been only partially cleared as far as Ramos who shot from 22 yards and while Shay Given got a hand to it, he couldn't prevent it entering the net. Then, with 15 minutes remaining, the USA broke for the goal which consigned Ireland to their fifth defeat in six games under McCarthy.

Wynalda's cross carried little apparent threat initially, but with the Irish defence hesitating and Given fractionally slow to leave his line, Claudio Reyna got his foot to the ball a split second ahead of the goalkeeper to make the decisive contact.

Even then, Ireland had a chance of saving the game after Alan McLoughlin, quite the most creative Irish player on the day, had set up a perfect chance for a second strike for Connolly in the 80th minute. The Watford player, at full stretch, managed to make contact but alas, not enough to deflect the ball into Brad Friedel's net.

It was overall, then, a disappointing day for the Irish in front of a crowd of 25,000. McCarthy had banked on winning sufficient midfield possession to provide a platform for victory, but in spite of McLoughlin's nimble footwork and a couple of vintage touches by Liam O'Brien, it never quite materialised.

The arrival of Mark Kennedy as a replacement for Gareth Farrelly quickened the build up in the last half hour but sadly, to no avail.

Apart from that fatal error, Given did well in goal and generally, Gary Breen, Alan Kernaghan and Kenny Cunningham coped well at the back. But a hamstring injury which necessitated Jeff Kenna's retirement in the 40th minute may well put him out of the remainder of the tour.

That injury is potentially expensive and with Mexico beating Bolivia 1-0 in the other game in Dallas, the days ahead are strewn with worry for the Irish as they set about the challenge of avenging their World Cup defeat by the Mexicans in New Jersey on Wednesday.

"It was another disappointment," said McCarthy. "There was a lot in the game which pleased me but we should not have conceded that goal so soon after taking the lead even if it was a good shot," said McCarthy.

"At times I felt sorry for Shay Given. The people in front of him gave the American's too much space to test their shooting power. From where I sat, the cross which led to their second goal should have been cut out, but give the American lad credit for cutting across Shay and putting it away.

"To lose again was a disappointment. But the young players in the team are still learning the business of international football and I'm confident we'll get it right in time for the start of the World Cup."

The USA dictated the early tactics and the tempo - Claudio Reyna was only just wide with a shot from 12 yards and then Given had to fling himself across his line to deny Tab Ramos at the expense of a corner. That was a jolt to Irish pride, but it wasn't until the 26th minutes that they threatened for the first time, with David Connolly shooting over from Alan McLoughIins opening. With the scores locked at 1-1 in the second half, Liam O'Brien squandered a great chance of hoisting Ireland into the lead. McLoughlin provided the inviting cross from close to the back line, but the big Tranmere player, with a clear sighting of goal, miscued the header. That was an expensive miss, but the scales of justice balanced out when a stinging shot from Ramos came back off an upright with Given, for once, not within reach of the ball.