Mick McCarthy's father dies after long illness

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy's father Charlie has died.

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy's father Charlie has died.

The manager decided to stay on in Cyprus to supervise his team's preparations for Saturday's World Cup qualifier despite hearing news of the death. He was aged 74.

On Monday McCarthy rushed from the squad's training camp in Dublin to the family's home in Barnsley in Yorkshire to visit his father who has been suffering from a long-term illness.

Charlie McCarthy was from Co Waterford. This allowed Mick McCarthy to qualify for the Republic where he went on to win 57 caps as centre-half and captain.