Source: Team_Talk
Doyle ready for McCarthy ribbing
The 25-year-old striker will follow in McCarthy's footsteps when he captains the Republic of Ireland in Tuesday night's friendly against World Cup hosts South Africa at Thomond Park in Limerick.
It is an honour McCarthy, who went on to manage his country, enjoyed frequently during an international career spanning 57 caps and the 1990 World Cup finals.
Doyle made his 28th senior appearance for Ireland in Saturday night's qualifier victory in Cyprus, and has been handed the armband following the release of regular skipper Robbie Keane and a handful of other more senior players.
But he is sure he will find himself on the wrong end of the famously dry McCarthy's wit when he heads back to Molineux.
Doyle said: "I am sure he will have a laugh on Thursday when I meet back up.
"I don't know how many times he was captain, but he did a great job.
"I am sure I won't have the privilege of being captain as many times as he was and in major tournaments like he was, but it's still an honour for me."
Doyle will be one of only three men - Sean St Ledger, provided his knee problem does not resurface, and Keith Andrews are the others - who started in Nicosia in line to do so again.
The likes of Keiren Westwood, Liam Lawrence, Darron Gibson and Caleb Folan, who will all play, have only a handful of caps between them.
However, the skipper knows from experience just how important it is for the players waiting in the wings to get international football under their belts whenever they can so they are prepared when the big call comes.
He said: "They have all experienced it - they all play in front of big crowds every week.
"But it is different. I know myself, when I made my debut, I found in the first three, four, five games how hard it was just not to be too nervous to get on with the situation and play my own game.
"I found it difficult and that's why these games are so important, to get that feeling out of the way so when you are needed in a competitive game, you can just settle straight in and not have those nerves you feel in your first few games."
