ALONGSIDE all those conspiracy theorists who wondered if the lovely Ulrika had only had a fling with Sven to sell a few more books, I must admit a split second contemplation that Roy Keane may have left the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad to create a little extra publicity for his autobiography.

Of course, that is an absurd notion writes Richard Mulligan

But Keane's recollections of his early flight home from the Far East, which were still fresh in the public mind when his autobiography was released in August, made for an excellent closing chapter.

The Manchester United captain's nemesis Mick McCarthy has been rather less lucky, as his own newly-released book finishes by looking to the future: "We have a European Championships to qualify for and I hope to see you all in Portugal in 2004".

Ouch! After his departure last week from his role as Ireland boss, McCarthy's book is already out of date because it does not give us the political shenanigans and thought processes that led to his resignation.

But this began as the story of Ireland's World Cup adventure, a successful journey which commenced with qualification at the expense of the mighty Dutch. To then outplay Germany in the first round proper, and only suffer elimination by Spain on penalties in the last 16, was a remarkable achievement.

That McCarthy should be forced out of his job less than six months later is rather perplexing. Well, it would be if the exchanges with Roy Keane in Saipan had never happened.

This is McCarthy's opportunity to give his version of events, and as well as the four letter tirades he reveals the doubts in his own managerial ability which accompanied Keane's famous rant at him in front of the assembled Ireland squad.

McCarthy, in his first major tournament, did not want Keane to leave and was faced with a bigger challenge than any of the other 31 bosses in the World Cup. As he says: "How could any football coach prepare for the day the best midfielder in the world tells you he wants to quit?"

Throughout the book McCarthy attempts to rubbish Keane's complaints about the second-rate facilities provided by the Irish camp, not least by the numerous times that the boss seems to travel very short distances by helicopter in Korea and Japan.

For anyone who has flicked through Keane's book this is essential reading to balance out the two opinions of what happened at the World Cup.

And if, aside from Keane, there is general public interest in the former Barnsley and Manchester City player, this is a book full of insight from a coach who although proud, is brutally honest and very aware of his own deficiencies.

'Ireland's World Cup 2002' by Mick McCarthy with Cathal Dervan is published by Simon & Schuster (RRP £16.99)