IT’S BEEN AN awful past year and a half for James McCarthy. From starting every one of Ireland’s four games at the European Championships last summer, recurrent injuries and an ugly war of words between his two opposing managers has left him in a state of perpetuity.
With Martin O’Neill’s options in midfield for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova depleted — Harry Arter uncertain to be fit and Robbie Brady suspended — the question begs as to whether McCarthy will feature, and whether or not he can make an impact if chosen.
Dedication to the green shirt has certainly not been in short supply for the 26-year-old.
Despite Everton manager Ronald Koeman insisting that the player prioritise his club and regaining full fitness for Everton, “who pay his salary”, the player has consistently defied those wishes time after time and insisted he will do all it takes to ensure he is available for Moldova and Wales.
If Harry Arter is not fit in time for Friday’s game there will be a hole in the centre of midfield which needs to be filled, either alongside Glenn Whelan in a 4-2-3-1 or as the anchor in a 4-3-3, as seen with David Meyler against Serbia last month.
McCarthy will be the first to put his hand up for selection, but a lack of guarantees of full fitness plus the availability of other options like Conor Hourihane, Callum O’Dowda and Meyler means his involvement is not the certainty it once was — even when fully fit.
It is a frustrating situation for a player still young enough to fulfill the expectation lofted on his shoulders suggesting he was the tough, ball-playing central enforcer he promised to be at Wigan.
But similarly acknowledging that enough time has passed for some to state, with a sorry sigh of resignation, that we have seen all there is to see from a player approaching half a century of caps for his country.
For many, his 41 appearances does not yet offer the stamp of authority and demonstration of seniority which it should after seven years involved with the senior set-up, with Wes Hoolahan (41), Robbie Brady (36) and Stephen Ward (45) all arguably making a greater impact with close to as many appearances to their names.
His uninspiring performances have caused many fans to lose patience with the player, who has still yet to fulfill his potential.
But this is slightly unfair to McCarthy, who deserves some sympathy.
When questioned whether or not doubts over his fitness would rule McCarthy out, manager O’Neill said: “Well, I don’t think so, no — and he doesn’t want to be ruled out at the moment.
Compare that willingness to play for his country with comments made by Everton boss Koeman this week, who said the midfielder should have the Toffees at the forefront of his priorities.
What I expect from every Everton player is don’t take risks when it’s not necessary,” Koeman said.
“When it’s the last game of the season, if it’s a play-off game for the season then everybody understands it’s difficult for the player as you are stuck in the middle between your country and your football club.
But still we pay all the salaries to the players. What I expect from the player is always a good communication between them and our medical staff.
“If they call James for the Irish national team, then he needs to go because that is a FIFA rule. But his situation is that he can be part of the team for training this Friday, but his last game was in July. I think that answers the question.”
McCarthy has been caught in the firing line of this continued battle between O’Neill and Koeman meaning that the conflict, alongside the additions of players like Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen to Everton’s ranks during the summer, means his future at the club appears more and more uncertain.
The player is at a key point in his career, as his future for both club and country is in a vague and insecure point.
Turning 27 next month, by that age many would have anticipated McCarthy being the backbone of Ireland’s central midfield unit, but the question hangs in the balance, as it has done for some time, over whether or not his place in O’Neill’s starting XI is guaranteed or justified.
With players such as Hourihane, O’Dowda, and even 18-year-old Declan Rice desperately all looking to get minutes and starts under their belt at senior level, O’Neill will be asking himself whether it would be wise to sacrifice those minutes to McCarthy.
What cannot be disputed, however, is McCarthy’s consistent dedication to the cause.
It is clear by Koeman’s words that all is not well between player and manager, which may lead to his departure from Merseyside, but McCarthy’s continued insistence to answer the call for Ireland has shown a commitment not often witnessed in modern international football.
In an era where international call-ups are viewed by many players more as hindrances and inconveniences to their Premier League and European club priorities, McCarthy has shown where his loyalties lie.
It would have been much easier for him to comply with Koeman’s wishes, but rather, he has shown that he is not afraid of the consequences of his actions to commit and make himself readily available each and every time his country needs him.
His performances for Ireland have not met expectation as of yet and left many supporters frustrated at his lack of consistency.
But for that persistent and selfless loyalty to at the very least play for Ireland, consistency of a much different kind which some see as hitting the self-destruct button at his place at Goodison Park, he deserves a significant amount of respect.
What McCarthy must do now is build on that dedication, regain fitness and turn all of that into performances worthy of recognition and respect of his abilities as a footballer, and not just for showing up.
Turning 27 next month is a reminder of how long he has been involved with the national team, but also of the time he has left to make himself the presence in Ireland’s midfield we all thought he once could be.
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