Post by Taxigirl on Oct 17, 2005 9:01:39 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4347544.stm
Stephen Carr has stepped down from international football following the Republic's failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup.
The 29-year-old Newcastle right-back believes the time is right to quit and follows in the footsteps of Roy Keane and Kenny Cunningham.
"I have made my decision, and there is no going back for me now," said Carr.
"The time is right to call it a day with Ireland. It was disappointing that we didn't qualify for the World Cup."
Carr, who won 39 caps for his country said that not only was it disappointing for everyone in the country but it hit him hard personally.
"I would have loved to have represented my country in Germany next summer and maybe called it quits after that, but it wasn't to be," he told the Newcastle United website.
"Failing to qualify for the World Cup was a huge disappointment for me personally.
"I missed the last World Cup because of injury, and this time we ended up finishing fourth in the group so we didn't go through.
"I think it's time for me to stand aside now, and let some of the younger lads coming through to have the opportunity to play for Ireland.
"I'll be 34 the next time the World Cup comes around and at that stage of my career I wouldn't feel as though I could do myself or Ireland justice in the competition should we get through."
Carr believes the Football Association of Ireland should keep faith with manager Brian Kerr and give him a new contract.
"Brian has done a fantastic job and I sincerely hope he is allowed to continue as manager.
"I hope the FAI give him their full backing and a new contract because he deserves it.
"It was difficult for him to take over from Mick McCarthy after the 2002 World Cup but he has brought some good players through and is very popular with the squad.
"I think people should lay off him and support him as the squad regroups."
Stephen Carr has stepped down from international football following the Republic's failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup.
The 29-year-old Newcastle right-back believes the time is right to quit and follows in the footsteps of Roy Keane and Kenny Cunningham.
"I have made my decision, and there is no going back for me now," said Carr.
"The time is right to call it a day with Ireland. It was disappointing that we didn't qualify for the World Cup."
Carr, who won 39 caps for his country said that not only was it disappointing for everyone in the country but it hit him hard personally.
"I would have loved to have represented my country in Germany next summer and maybe called it quits after that, but it wasn't to be," he told the Newcastle United website.
"Failing to qualify for the World Cup was a huge disappointment for me personally.
"I missed the last World Cup because of injury, and this time we ended up finishing fourth in the group so we didn't go through.
"I think it's time for me to stand aside now, and let some of the younger lads coming through to have the opportunity to play for Ireland.
"I'll be 34 the next time the World Cup comes around and at that stage of my career I wouldn't feel as though I could do myself or Ireland justice in the competition should we get through."
Carr believes the Football Association of Ireland should keep faith with manager Brian Kerr and give him a new contract.
"Brian has done a fantastic job and I sincerely hope he is allowed to continue as manager.
"I hope the FAI give him their full backing and a new contract because he deserves it.
"It was difficult for him to take over from Mick McCarthy after the 2002 World Cup but he has brought some good players through and is very popular with the squad.
"I think people should lay off him and support him as the squad regroups."