Breen to quit Irish squad ?
<b>From Todays Irish Independent</B>
THE ramifications of Sunderland's agonising play-off defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Monday could have wider implications than the job-shedding which affected a raft of Irish players yesterday.
Speculation was rife on Wearside last night that Gary Breen's response to the demoralising defeat has been such that he is contemplating a shock retirement from international football.
Breen had apparently already indicated to the Irish management that he does not want to be considered for the forthcoming friendly internationals. And it now appears that the 30-year-old, who last appeared in a green shirt on the night Ireland's Euro 2004 hopes died in Basel last October, may opt to concentrate solely on his club career.
It is not clear whether Breen's decision has been influenced by the return to the international fold of Roy Keane - the Sunderland player would have been among those most sceptical about that development.
Injury ruled Breen out of Ireland's international programme since Basel and in that time Andy O'Brien has established himself as a realistic alternative at the heart of the defence alongside Kenny Cunnigham. However, his retirement would still be a huge blow to Ireland.
Breen was Mick McCarthy's most capped player and the pair have rekindled their professional relationship since Breen joined the Black Cats last summer.
Meanwhile, McCarthy pulled the trigger on Jason McAteer's Sunderland career yesterday, discarding with one stroke his skipper and the famed sentiment which had bonded the pair with club and country.
Phil Babb also received his cards - as did Kilkenny-born striker Michael Reddy and Sligo's Mark Rossiter, who had bravely fought to recover from cruciate ligament damage.
Joachim Bjorklund and Paul Thirlwell were among the eight players released by McCarthy - and there's the threat of more to come.
Richie Ryan is one of several players whose future will be decided on whether they are prepared to accept Sunderland's final offer of a new deal. Ryan is currently in Belgium with Ireland's U-19s.
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray said: "Mick has taken these decisions and there will certainly be more changes to come, so that we can mount a challenge to achieve Premiership status by the end of next season.
"The number of players who are out of contract gives Mick the opportunity to determine the squad that starts pre-season training, unlike last year when he inherited a very difficult situation with a big squad many of which were to leave, which he managed amazingly.
"The club is spurred on by the achievements of Mick and the players in reaching the FA Cup semi-final and third place in Division One and it is up to everyone at the club to do their utmost to ensure that next season is successful."
McAteer and Babb join fellow Irish internationals Mark Kinsella (WBA), Alan Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Gareth Farrelly (Wigan) and Barry Quinn (Coventry City) as victims of end of season job cuts.
MARK KENNEDY (groin), Steven Reid (toe) and Rory Delap yesterday joined the growing list of withdrawals from Ireland's squad for the forthcoming internationals.
DARLINGTON striker Barry Conlon is set to snub Bristol Rovers to join Second Division Barnsley. Former U-21 international Danny Boxall's move to Watford has broken down, while Ian Simpemba is mulling over a new deal with Wycombe.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC chairman Andy O'Callaghan has revealed that the club have received 42 applications for the vacant managerial post. And former Carlisle and Bohemians boss Roddy Collins indicated that he is planning to become the 43rd.
David Kelly
