Is there an encore after swansong for 'hurt' McClean?
James McClean can recall the date his debut call-up sparked joy in his life but also the more recent milestone when being dropped hurt him deeply.
Tonight’s end-of-year friendly against New Zealand is being presented as the winger’s 103rd and final cap but the manager who leads Ireland next year may have different ideas.
Although McClean turned 34 in April, physical demands of international level are not an issue, he insists.
The ‘decision’ itself to step away appears to be hastened by being snubbed for last month’s double-header against Greece and Gibraltar, coming on the back of a difficult evening against Netherlands.
Denzel Dumfries enjoyed a particularly fruitful night at Aviva Stadium, rampaging from right-wing back either side of half-time to set up goals that completed the Dutch turnaround.
McClean was the casualty when the next squad emerged. Stephen Kenny was McClean’s first manager way back at Derry City but there was no sentiment to the culling. His retirement was announced within an hour of the squad being unveiled.
Kenny had planted a clue earlier in the year by describing McClean’s move to Wrexham as ‘not ideal’.
Joining the Ryan Reynolds-owned club had a Hollywood feel but League Two level wasn’t to his Ireland manager’s liking; a bias the player is steadfast in believing is wrong.
“I got my first call-up on February 19, 2012 and been named in every single squad since up until last month so that hurt,” he said about the shock of his axing.
“If I was still at Wigan Athletic (in League One), would I have been called up? I think so. I find the whole perception of League Two as disrespectful.” Those opinions were elicited by Tony O’Donoghue within the intimate confines of RTÉ’s customary one-on-one interview.
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