Seeking post-match quotes is like speed dating. A few players take one look at the reporters before disappearing under a makeshift wall, protected by men in orange jackets. Eventually, a highly paid Premiership star takes pity on us poor unfortunates, desperately scrambling to meet impending deadlines.

Terse sound-bites are the norm until (praises), Lee Carsley appears from behind the dressing-room door.

Honest and articulate, Carsley is an under-pressure sports hack's dream.

We ask the 34-year-old about the future.

"I still enjoy coming over. I enjoyed the game tonight. I'm going to stay around for the qualifiers, whether I go to the World Cup or not, if we do qualify, is a different question. But I'll play my part.

"You've got to be realistic. I'll be 40 . . . wait, I'll be 45 then! (actually, he'll be 36). If I'm still playing in the Premiership and still felt like I was up for it, maybe. I wouldn't just go for the ride. It would be some achievement to get there."

What about the likes of Steve Finnan, Andy O'Brien and Stephen Carr, who have already, prematurely, retired?

"I've been in that situation before where I've lost the enthusiasm for coming over. You've got to respect the decisions they made. A lot of the lads played for Ireland for 10 years."

You think they might copy you and change their mind?

"I hope so. You look at the lads who decided to call it a day. They are fantastic players. Playing in the Premiership week in, week out. We need all the players we can get."

Liam Miller, and his dodgy calf, was next. Here is where the speed-dating simile really applies. There isn't time for any state-of-the-union stuff. Rapid-fire questions, with maybe one warm-up query, before the topic of the next manager is brought up.

After a quality 43 minutes, Miller was hurt making his umpteenth tackle of the night - much to Roy Keane's annoyance as Sunderland can hardly lose his quality as their relegation battle heats up.

"It feels like I've pulled my calf. Probably a couple of weeks. Really disappointing."

In this environment it's all about choosing the right words but sometimes the player refuses the bait. Were the players mindful of the fact that a potential new manager might have been looking in from afar?

"I don't think so. We were all concentrating on the game and I don't think the mind was that way at all."

Yikes. Thankfully Stephen Kelly was more receptive to that line.

"Obviously, the FAI want to get it right. They don't want to rush into something and it turns out to be the wrong man."

Like the last time? (Only kidding, such a question is far too perilous at 10.52pm)

Hopefully, when he comes in it is going to be a good time for the country. There are a lot of young players coming through for the World Cup campaign. "It's going to be tough. You want someone to come in who is going to have a name and do well for the country."

Couldn't agree more.