Cunningham's team face an uphill task after Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at home to Switzerland left them without a point from two games.

The Irish now have plenty of ground to make up on both the Swiss - who have seven points from three games - and Russia, who have maximum points from two.

But the Birmingham defender said defiantly: "It is still possible we can qualify from this group.

"Of course it looks as if winning the group may be beyond us now, but we can fight for second place and that is still achievable for us.

"Switzerland have to play Russia at home and away, while we have to play Russia at home, and then we are more than capable of going to Switzerland and winning.

"Of course there is a lot of disappointment after this result but we owe it to ourselves and certainly to our supporters to pick ourselves up," added Cunningham.

Manager McCarthy is facing calls from some critics to quit his post after six-and-a-half years in charge, even though his record is still one of the best in international football.

However, McCarthy insisted he would not walk away from the job and he has the full support of his skipper.

"Mick came into the dressing room after the game and although he was as disappointed as anyone else he was also very upbeat," said Cunningham.

"Expectations have been raised to such a level after the World Cup that the fans expect us to qualify for the European Championships, so we understand their frustration".

Blackburn winger Damien Duff, Ireland's best player on the night before coming off with a pulled hamstring towards the end, described the criticism of McCarthy as "terrible".

"He has done brilliantly for the squad in the last few years, he got us to the World Cup finals and we did well there," said Duff.

"For Mick to be getting stick two games into the qualifying campaign is dreadful.

"We shall all stand by him and do our best for him".