Mick McCarthy was yesterday assessing the evidence of what he termed a highly informative weekend in the approach to the friendly game against Sweden at Lansdowne Road tomorrow week.
McCarthy went back to the ground where it all started for him to watch Sunderland make certain of the First Division championship at Barnsley on Friday evening.
The following day he was at Highfield Road, making late judgments on Keith O'Neill and Gary Breen as Middlesbrough beat Coventry City 2-1.
The only surprise, perhaps, in Sunderland's success was that Niall Quinn failed to add to his total of 20 goals this season, but in every other respect his performance matched McCarthy's expectations.
"They think the world about Niall up at Sunderland, where they know a thing or two abut football, and it's easy to understand why," he said. "It probably sounds daft to those who haven't seen him play this season, but the reality is that, at 32, he's now almost certainly better than at any time in his career." At a time when the Ireland manager still needs a core of experience in his team to assist in the development of younger players, Quinn's re-emergence from the second of two career-threatening injuries has been the biggest bonus of the season.
From a situation in which Tony Cascarino offered the only viable option as a target player, McCarthy is once again in the reassuring position of being able to alternate in this most physically demanding of roles.
Moreover, Quinn will now enjoy the advantage of honing his preparations for international football in the Premiership. As one who has never relied on pace to undo defences, his age will not disadvantage him unduly in the higher grade. And the accumulated experience of a career stretching back to 1987 will certainly stand him in good stead when he seeks to carry his impressive form into the new season.
That is an encouraging augury for McCarthy in the challenge of qualifying for the European finals. And he'll benefit, too, from the presence of the big man in the dressing-room. He was gratified, too, by O'Neill's contribution at Highfield Road where Middlesbrough's new signing was seldom less than prominent in their important win.
Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson has given substance to his statement that he regards O'Neill as an important part of his plans by including him in every squad since his transfer from Norwich four weeks ago.
Now, with serious doubts about Robbie Keane's availability for the game against Sweden and the failure of his clubmate David Connolly to win a first-team place for Wolves' win over Birmingham on Saturday, the Dubliner may be headed for his first Ireland start since the game against Croatia at Lansdowne Road in September.
Although Breen went off injured in the closing stages of the game, he is expected to be fit to join the national squad.
With Phil Babb still embroiled in a difficult season with Liverpool, Breen looks the obvious choice to partner Kenny Cunningham in central defence. Like so many others, however, his prospects of playing at Lansdowne Road depend on the goodwill of his club manager, Gordon Strachan.
