There was a time when it was players that League of Ireland clubs provided to the international team.
Sadly, these days, it is only staff off the field who get the international call-up. This week, Shamrock Rovers physio Tony McCarthy will not be on duty for games against Sligo Rovers and Bohemians.
Instead, he is helping Martin O’Neill’s side prepare for the Euro 2016 clash with Poland. McCarthy has been in the role since the start of the Giovanni Trapattoni reign, proving that ex-pros do not have to go into coaching to stay involved post-retirement.