Keane & McCarthy talk for first time

Mick McCarthy has revealed that he and Roy Keane have resolved their differences, just weeks before the pair are due to come face-to-face in public for the first time since the Saipan crisis of 2002.

The row between McCarthy and Keane split the country four years ago, the acrimony overshadowing the achievement in reaching the knock-out stages in Japan and Korea and eventually forcing McCarthy out of the job as Irish team boss.

But the Yorkshireman feels that the time is right to bridge the chasm, particularly with the November 24th meeting between Wolves and Sunderland looming large on the horizon.

An enquiry into the availability of Black Cats player Neill Collins brought McCarthy into contact with Keane, ultimately seeing the most fraught relationship in Irish sporting life take a turn towards amicability.

"I wanted to enquire about a couple of players and I always believe that you should speak to the manager direct," said McCarthy.

"That's no different with Roy now he is manager at Sunderland, so I picked up the phone and he accepted the call.

"We both felt it was the right time to talk and it was a cordial conversation. We chatted about the players and a couple of other things that will remain private.

"It's been four years now and it should be put to bed. Life goes on. The only two people who weren't getting anything out of it were me and Roy.

"It's the media that drives it on and we've both got difficult enough jobs without others putting spanners in it."