Cunningham unconcerned by McCarthy furore

McCarthy has come in for fierce criticism from sections of the Irish media for his revelations in the World Cup diary over the Roy Keane saga.

Ireland tackle Switzerland at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday in a crucial Group 10 qualifier with the pressure on after the opening game loss to Russia.

Despite all the off-field distractions, Cunningham insists that the whole Ireland squad will not be affected and will be focused on the match with Switzerland.

"It is a matter of opinion and everyone is entitled to their own," said Cunningham.

"With the position Mick is in, particularly in relation to what happened in the summer, there is going to be a lot of interest in what he is going to say, but that is Mick's prerogative.

"If he wants to put his feelings down in print he is entitled to do so. It is not something which particularly occupies the players' thoughts and I don't think it has affected the squad. The lads spend the majority of their time in England and the vast media interest is primarily based in Ireland.

"I don't think it puts any extra pressure on the squad. Maybe it would be different if we were on a six-game losing streak and confidence was low. But that is not the case.

"We have lost one game and come off the back of what we believe was a successful World Cup campaign. There is no feeling of negativity and inside the squad the feeling is good."