Mick McCarthy furious at the award of Declan Rice after his defection to England

Mick McCarthy criticized the decision to name Declan Rice FAI's best young player of the year just weeks after he left for England.

Rice won the award for her performances for Ireland in 2018, but McCarthy – who is gearing up for his second term as National Chief – would prefer that the award be awarded to someone who l? appreciate more or who totally abandoned it.

West Ham's 20-year-old defensive midfielder was named a top young player by a panel of the Irish Football Writers' Association (SWAI) for his three senior matches in friendly matches last year.

Rice, who was born in London, has since promised her international future in England and has been named to Gareth Southgate's squad for her upcoming matches against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

But the whole sage left a bitter taste in McCarthy's mouth.

Speaking from the Aviva stadium while the FAI announced that SportPesa was their new official betting partner, McCarthy said, "I would not have given him that, I would be fine!"

"Initially, I said it should be given to someone who deserves it, but it was wrong, but he was playing and if he was the best player, then he deserved it.

"In my opinion, the decision should have been changed and the price awarded to someone who would really appreciate it.

"He [Rice] will not appreciate it. He probably feels a little embarrbaded by this.

"I understand that he deserved it because he deserved it but for someone who has left and does not want to play for us, why would you want him to?" give it? Was it to embarrbad it? Embarrbad the ISP? I do not know.

"I would prefer there is no reward to give him. I said that if there is no one else, do not give the price. "

McCarthy called his outstanding unskilled team-mate his qualifications for the 2020 team against Gibraltar and Georgia with James Collins, Luton striker.

James McCarthy of Everton, Hull midfielder David Meyler and Fulham defender Cyrus Christie are the most prominent names that have been written off while Burnley's Stephen Ward has ended his international career.

SportPesa is the official betting partner of the Football Association of Ireland. For more information, visit: www.sportpesa.org