Bowsy
28/04/2004, 12:38 PM
Mark Kinsella, who will win his 46th cap for Ireland against Poland in Bygdoszcz this evening (Wednesday), has admitted that he will not be around when the World Cup kicks off in Germany in just over two years time.
The 31-year-old Dubliner has had a new lease of life since joining West Bromwich Albion earlier this year.
Since January, he has enjoyed a sustained run of first team football, helping the Baggies to return to the Premiership, and returned to the Irish fold after almost six months out of the equation following an ignominious end of the European Championship qualifiers in Switzerland last October.
He is expected to start alongside full debutant Liam Miller in midfield tonight, but admits that the emergence of young guns such as Miller, Colin Healy and Steven Reid – as well as the return to the fold of Roy Keane – will bring about the end of his international career.
He said: “In two years’ time, when the World Cup finals are on, I don’t see myself playing regularly for Ireland. I will be 34. Steve Staunton did it but he is an exception.
“I have done my time. I don’t want to be travelling around if I am not involved. And it would be better for a young lad to do that to get the experience.”
The 31-year-old Dubliner has had a new lease of life since joining West Bromwich Albion earlier this year.
Since January, he has enjoyed a sustained run of first team football, helping the Baggies to return to the Premiership, and returned to the Irish fold after almost six months out of the equation following an ignominious end of the European Championship qualifiers in Switzerland last October.
He is expected to start alongside full debutant Liam Miller in midfield tonight, but admits that the emergence of young guns such as Miller, Colin Healy and Steven Reid – as well as the return to the fold of Roy Keane – will bring about the end of his international career.
He said: “In two years’ time, when the World Cup finals are on, I don’t see myself playing regularly for Ireland. I will be 34. Steve Staunton did it but he is an exception.
“I have done my time. I don’t want to be travelling around if I am not involved. And it would be better for a young lad to do that to get the experience.”