Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Carr has announced his
retirement from international football.
The 31-year-old Newcastle United player won 44 caps, the first
coming in 1999 and the last in a 4-0 friendly win over Denmark in
August.
Carr said that, after failing to qualify for Euro 2008, it was time
to rebuild the Republic squad.
"There are good young players coming out of Ireland. They should
get the opportunity to play now," said Carr.
It is the second time Carr has quit the international scene.
In 2005 he said he was retiring after the Republic failed to reach
the World Cup finals.
But he changed his mind and was brought back into the fold in
August 2006 by Steve Staunton.