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Everton signing James McCarthy poses in his new jersey. Peter Byrne/Everton FC

James McCarthy prepares for midfield fight after £13m Everton move

The Republic of Ireland midfielder was made wait for his desired move but he got there in the end.

JAMES MCCARTHY STILL looked a touch dazzled in the deadline day headlights when he sat down for his first interview as an Everton player. The midfielder, snapped up from Wigan Athletic for £13m, was one of the last players to see his deal go through on a frantic day of wheeling and dealing.

McCarthy was signed along with Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry before the 11pm closure of the transfer window. Roberto Martinez and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright emerged as one of the day’s big winners and McCarthy was delighted to be taken along for the ride.

“To be honest I am over the moon,” he told the club website. “The last few hours [were] nerve-racking and I am delighted to be here.”

McCarthy revealed that ‘there was no going back’ once he became aware of the Premier League side’s interest. The deal was only pushed through after Manchester United stumped up £27.5m for former Toffees midfielder Marouane Fellaini, leaving McCarthy on tenterhooks. Now that the deal has been approved, the Republic of Ireland international is pleased to be re-united with Martinez, his boss at the Latics last season.

“I worked under the manager for four years at Wigan,” he said, “they were four brilliant years. I loved every minute of that. I know some of the boys who are here so it was a no-brainer to be honest.”

McCarthy revealed that Martinez has told him that hard work will be required to break into the team as no starting roles are guaranteed. The €13m transfer fee is not an immunity card for the 22-year-old but he insists he prefers it that way.

“There’s a lot of big transfers going on at the moment and I’ll just have to put up with [my fee] but I believe in my ability and will give it my best shot,” he said.

‘Seamy’ Coleman will give McCarthy an unofficial welcome on behalf of Everton before the midfielder links up with his new teammates, next week. The new signing will hope that, with tough games coming up against Sweden and Austria, World Cup qualification will prove a pleasant distraction rather than a memory.

Here is every Deadline Day transfer that has been confirmed

United sign Fellaini for £27.5million but miss out on Herrera

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5 Comments
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    Mute Dave O'Shaughnessy
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    Aug 14th 2016, 2:58 PM

    That Tipp minor team were just ruthless in that hiding they gave Galway!

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 14th 2016, 3:22 PM

    Brutal Galway team, there was one lad who didn’t even hold the hurley properly, and their keeper was woeful

    16
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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:22 PM

    Shows the inconsisten standard of refereeing..two shoulder charges..one last night ..free in..today..properly sidelines cut.

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    Mute Dave O'Shaughnessy
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:13 PM

    At HT, Galway have shown a superior urgency and smarter shape than Tipp, and fully deserve that lead. As a Tipp supporter I’d like to think Tipp have more intensity-gears they can go up, but they’ll have to work very hard for this one.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:17 PM

    There seems to be a lack of intensity from Tipp and some poor decision making, surprised at the amount of space and at how easy it is for some of the Galway backs to come out with the ball

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:18 PM

    I thought Tipp would be much cleaner and sharper. Hopefully they’ll improve.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:31 PM

    Joe going off could actually help Galway paradoxically

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    Mute Dave O'Shaughnessy
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    Aug 14th 2016, 5:05 PM

    Well, we’ll certainly be BIG underdogs for the final after that battle, but we’ll be the better for that Battle! 2pts separating both teams after 2 Semifinals, amazing. Great weekend for Hurling.

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    Mute Jason Pierce
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    Aug 14th 2016, 4:51 PM

    This is an awful game of hurling. Messy, sloppy and no clean ball. It might be close but that doesn’t make it a good game.

    5
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    Mute Martin McKenna
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    Aug 14th 2016, 5:12 PM

    Agree thought it was poor quality especially for Galway in the last few minutes Tipp will be better in the final.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Aug 14th 2016, 6:47 PM

    A lot of handling errors on both sides, it’s a case of over trained under match practiced players particularly on Tipp’s side

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