O’Neill needs harmony

and perceived wrongs of the McCarthy situation, a fractious relationship with Everton will not do O’Neill, or Ireland, any favours as they seek to build on an encouraging showing at last year’s Euros. Inherent, warring priorities always create the possibility of a club versus country conflict but it is in the best interests of all parties if dealings are underscored by an attitude of mutual respect. That was glaringly absent between Everton and Ireland in recent times and building a working rapport with English club managers should now be high on O’Neill’s to-do list. LAST week’s very public spat between Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill over the fitness, or otherwise, of James McCarthy was unprecedented in terms of its vitriolic intensity. It’s a long way removed from the 1950s when Everton was the most Hiberno-friendly of English clubs, at one point providing five players for the Ireland national team. At the moment, they have just two relevant to O’Neill’s plans for the 2018 World Cup McCarthy and stricken fullback Seamus Coleman. Without going into the rights