MICK McCARTHY has had talks with Niall Quinn about forming an Irish dream team at Sunderland.

Republic of Ireland manager McCarthy yesterday admitted he was "flattered'' to be linked with the Wearsiders following Peter Reid's dismissal on Monday night.

And McCarthy has disclosed privately that he is prepared to walk away from the Ireland job if Sunderland make an official approach.

Quinn, a staunch supporter of McCarthy at the height of the Roy Keane affair during this summer's World Cup, is holding the fort at the Stadium of Light until a replacement for Reid is found.

Promoted to player-coach by Reid in the close season, veteran striker Quinn has become a pivotal figure in Sunderland's set-up and would be key in any move to lure McCarthy.

Quinn retired from international football after helping McCarthy's men reach the last 16 in the World Cup.

It was a triumph over adversity for McCarthy after the Far-East furore which flared when Manchester United star Keane launched a foul-mouthed tirade at the manager in front of the entire Irish squad before being sent into exile.

McCarthy has admitted that the Keane controversy has left a permanent mental scar.

And he knows he will never escape the shadow of Keane while he is still in charge of the Republic.

Irish journalist Cathal Dervan, who is ghost-writing McCarthy's autobiography, said yesterday that he is fed up with the question of Keane. "He's had enough of the sniping and criticism that has followed him since his infamous bust-up wih Roy Keane,'' said Dervan.

McCarthy was less forthcoming yesterday, preferring to discuss Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland in Dublin a week today.

But he admitted: "When you manage a team who have done as well as we have, losing only three competitive games in three years, you are going to get linked with jobs and it's very flattering.

"But at the moment, all my concentration is on the Switzerland game and repairing the damage of the result in Russia.''

Asked how he would react if an offer to take over at Sunderland came his way, McCarthy said: "I'm not even going to deal with that. My focus is on the Switzerland game.''

A move to Sunderland would see McCarthy link up, not only with Quinn, but Ireland stars Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane and Phil Babb.

Former Republic defender David O'Leary was the bookies' early favourite to succeed Reid.

But the Sunderland board have major reservations about O'Leary because of the controversial nature of his departure from Leeds.

George Graham, O'Leary's predecessor at Elland Road, was also suggested as a possible Sunderland target, but last night ruled himself out of the running.

Derby County boss John Gregory is touting himself for the job.

Quinn, meanwhile, yesterday opened his heart on Reid's exit - and accused the players of letting him down.

And Quinn confessed he felt "empty'' and "lifeless'' when Reid rang him to break the news.

"Peter Reid has invested more than his faith in us,'' said Quinn. "He's given us careers, he's given us the opportunity to keep this club up where it belongs and we've slipped up and let him down.

"To a man there won't be one who does not admit what a fantastic job Peter did for this club. There are 30 to 40 professionals here who are devastated, it's a sombre feeling.

"We feel dejected because he's such a good guy and the influence he had on the football club extended to more than winning matches.

"He was a very important part of our lives. He's left this club now and a lot of bad things have happened to me in football, but the two things that stand out are when Peter Reid was sacked by Manchester City and when he was sacked by Sunderland.

"It's as gut-wrenching a time as you can find in football.

"When Peter rang me about 6pm on Monday night, I just felt empty and lifeless.

"It was just depressing to think that an era had come to a close. All I can say is that, in my opinion, he's a wonderful man. He's an immense character.

"And in all the hard times that we've gone through, he's been a pillar of strength - a rock."

Quinn took charge of training yesterday, assisted by reserve-team coach Ricky Sbragia, and said: "We had a gathering just before training to make clear to the players that, despite their disappointment, they need to make sure they are in tip-top shape mentally and physically for when the new manager comes in.

"There's a lot of sadness about and, yes, there's guilt too, because the players know they've let Peter down.

"But Peter's determination is enormous and I'm sure he'll find another job if he wants one in the game, because his record at Sunderland, despite what's been said by some, is a fantastic one.

"He took a club which looked certain to drop into the Second Division and got it into the Premiership for four of his seasons here.

"Now, with its great stadium and its great crowds, it's the envy of many other clubs and Peter has been a massive part of making all that happen. I think people will eventually realise what a great job he did at Sunderland."

Reid was quick to receive a job offer yesterday. Burnley boss Stan Ternent, a good friend of Reid, wants him to take a coaching role at Turf Moor.

* Sunderland's Worthington Cup third round tie at Arsenal will be on Wednesday, November 6.

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