Mick McCarthy had words of support yesterday for Gareth Farrelly and Richard Dunne in the aftermath of Everton's removal from the FA Cup by Newcastle United, at Goodison Park at the weekend.

The two Dubliners, elevated to important roles in Howard Kendall's match strategy, were praised by the Everton manager for their contributions to a performance which, he felt, deserved at least a second meeting with Newcastle.

Now consolation may be at hand for both players in the form of selection for next month's "B" international against Northern Ireland, an assignment which could open the way to places in the senior team.

"Its encouraging that after going through sticky patches in their careers, both are now doing well enough to perform on a stage as big as that at Goodison Park on Sunday," said McCarthy.

"I went to watch Gareth in a game against Chelsea last month and was impressed by the maturity he showed in central midfield. Players generally thrive on responsibility and after spending so much time on the bench at Aston Villa, he has now been given a new sense of purpose by Howard Kendall.

"It's a big break too, for Richard Dunne. He went through a bad time during the summer but now appears to be out at the other end. I'm delighted for him because lads of his age can find it difficult to cope with problems in their career."

McCarthy, one suspects, will be particularly pleased that Farrelly has re-emerged from the trough of his last season at Villa Park. He was one of the likely lads introduced within months of Jack Charlton's departure and the new manager was clearly disappointed when the player's lack of club football, forced him to look elsewhere for midfield cover during the World Cup qualifying programme.

In the sense that he has already made three senior international appearances against Portugal, the US and Bolivia, a summons to action in the "B" game, would represent no big deal for the player. Almost certainly, however, he will be targeting the game as a stepping stone to a recall for the start of the European championship build up programme in March.

Two years ago, Farrelly was being hailed as the probable long-term replacement for Andy Townsend in central midfield. Later, the master plan stalled when his career at Villa Park began to run into trouble but now with Townsend about to step into the shadows, it may soon be viable again.

Dunne, a member of one of Dublin's most celebrated football families, appeared to have made a major breakthrough last April when, within weeks of being promoted at Goodison Park, he was included in the travelling party for the World Cup game against Romania at Bucharest.

That, the manager explained, was designed to give the 18-year-old an opportunity of getting to know some of the senior members of the team, a clear indication that he intended to phase him into the squad at the earliest opportunity. Injury problems which forced the player out of the World Under-20 finals in Malaysia in the summer, was an unwelcome intrusion but now, on the evidence of his last two games for Everton, his career appears to be back on schedule.

"I believe the lad has all the attributes to be a great defender," says McCarthy. "He's big and strong and yet fast enough to get himself out of trouble when the occasion demands it. With luck, he can have a big career."

The game against Northern Ireland will also afford McCarthy the opportunity of looking at other players on the fringe of the squad. Among them is Dave Savage the Millwall midfielder who, no less than Farrelly, was acclaimed as one of the successes of the end of season tour last year.

Since then, his profile has dwindled in line with Millwall's shrinking fortunes but that will not, of itself, deter McCarthy. As the man responsible for signing Savage from Longford Town, he has never disguised his liking for the player and he will prove it by naming him in his squad next month.

Rory Ginty, a native of Galway who has somehow managed to escape managerial attention at under age level, has surfaced in Crystal Palace's first team this season and that should be good enough to warrant belated recognition in the Northern Ireland game.

Dave Worrell has yet to be promoted to first team status at Blackburn but judged on his performances in Malaysia, he may have valid claims for selection at "B" level and others who will demand close scrutiny by McCarthy are Mark Kinsella, Graham Kavanagh and the Tottenham forward, Neale Fenn who is expected back from injury shortly.

No venue has been decided for the February 11th meeting with Northern Ireland but providing it does not interfere with club fixtures, the likelihood is that it will be played at Tolka Park.

FAI officials said yesterday that the March 25th fixture against the Czech Republic at Prague is likely to be confirmed within the next couple of days. Earlier, there was some speculation that Switzerland would host a visit by the Irish on that date but now the Czech Federation has renewed its interest in the fixture

"The Czech authorities have been back on to us today and at this point, it's 99 per cent certain that we'll be playing at Prague in March," said the FAI's chief executive, Bernard O'Byrne.

"A game against Mexico at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, May 23rd is also pretty certain but as yet, we're still in the process of sorting out our home game in April. Yugoslavia have expressed an interest in coming to Dublin and within the last 24 hours, Portugal have also been in contact with us about filling the date."