If you were looking for an analogy to describe Sky's choice of co-commentator for the Bulgaria vs Ireland match, imagine going through a tough breakup with your ex but then, you meet someone else.
After chatting up your new partner for a while and convincing yourself that things are going to be different with this new one, it's time for the first date. However, you go to a place where your ex is and they're watching you and judging you all night.
Granted, Mick McCarthy is not exactly an unfamiliar face in the media because the former Wolves and Sunderland boss has frequently graced our TV screens, but it's hard to deny that his presence felt a little bit uneasy, especially since there's probably a sense of unfinished business on McCarthy's end....again.
After all, he did guide Ireland through the group for Euro 2020 and probably fancied a crack at Slovakia in the play-off.
However, it's Kenny's time now and he's the man that's picking the players.
Two years in the making, Kenny was promised the job back in 2018 at the same time that Mick McCarthy was announced as the senior manager for the Euro 2020 campaign.
However, the COVID chaos caused havoc with the qualifying campaigns and the contracts of both McCarthy and Kenny. Ultimately, McCarthy and the majority of his backroom staff left their positions with Euro qualification still in the balance.
In terms of McCarthy's commentary, it was mostly grand, aside from his obsession about mentioning crossing the ball into the Bulgarian box every few minutes. Then again, his faith in this tactic was proven to be correct as Ireland's goal did come from a corner.
Aside from this, he made a bizarre boast in commentary about misleading the media about a previous selection of Conor Hourihane at left-back, and frequently called Jeff Hendrick, 'Hendrix'
Again, Sky are fully entitled to select who they want on commentary duties and as mentioned previously, McCarthy is vastly experienced in terms of the media, but his presence definitely grated with some fans who felt that a dignified distance would have been preferable, especially in his successors first game in charge.
Elsewhere, Virgin Media had Niall Quinn, the Interim Deputy CEO of the FAI, was providing analysis on the Ireland match and he also dismissed suggestions that there was any conflict of interest in FAI chairperson Roy Barrett being recommended for the position for the association's biggest creditor, the Bank of Ireland.
Mick McCarthy on co-comms. That's....an interesting call by him
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) September 3, 2020
Mick McCarthy commentating on this is like your ex showing up to a wedding wearing white #BULIRL #UEFANationsLeague #COYBIG
— Joe McGucken (@JosephMcgucken) September 3, 2020
The FAI chairman attacking Ireland's free press & an ex-Ireland manager bemoaning the lack of crosses all night was not what I expected to hear for Kenny's 1st game as manager
Maybe Niall Quinn & Mick McCarthy can take the night off against Finland?#COYBIG— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) September 4, 2020
Mick McCarthy on commentary?!
I’m a Big Mick stan, but that’s a bit of an odd sitch? No?
##BULIRL— Anne-Marie McNally (@amomcnally) September 3, 2020
Mick McCarthy on co commentary tonight.... pic.twitter.com/CqW3MzPMBB
— YellowBelly Danny (@YellowBellyDan) September 3, 2020
Really feel like Sky Sports are trying to send Irish supporters loco by putting Mick McCarthy in commentary. Mad choice but kind of back it for entertainment value
— Kathleen McNamee (@kathleen_mcn) September 3, 2020
If anything, that goal justifies Mick McCarthy mentioning crossing the ball about 1,372 times during commentary #BULIRL
— Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) September 3, 2020
