Football: McGrath's enduring excellence: World Cup '94: A defensive colossus is back to his intuitive best. Trevor Haylett reports from Orlando

NO wonder Ron Atkinson wore a look that almost rivalled Jack Charlton in its portrayal of delight and satisfaction. The Giants Stadium where Ireland had just beaten Italy was the stage for an Aston Villa revival: Ray Houghton the match winner, Paul McGrath a colossus once more, Andy Townsend and Steve Staunton outstanding figures of influence and ability. 'At Villa we always seem to have a good close season,' smiled Big Ron.

Of those famous four none would have pleased him more than the performance of enduring excellence from McGrath who, alongside Phil Babb, established a defensive barrier that rendered two of Europe's best attacking talents impotent.

The Black Pearl of Inchinore - the title of his recent autobiography - had confirmed that he was back to the standard that few can reach. At 34, and with knees so infirm they could give out at any moment, he came to the World Cup and made it look no more demanding than a trip round DisneyWorld with the kids.

And yet of all the participants here few can have had so fearful a preparation for USA '94. A mysterious shoulder injury, which almost curtailed his involvement in the domestic season after Villa's Coca-Cola Cup victory, was compounded by another example of the wayward individualism off the field that has tried the patience of all his managers and, in one case, exhausted it.

For the second time since the start of the year McGrath had gone AWOL. Atkinson was furious; Charlton was greatly concerned. Faults and all, he knew McGrath was still essential to his plans and it was here that he showed his considerable powers of motivation and man management. He reminded him that there was a risk of taking someone to America who might not be available to play.

McGrath returned and was part of a side that won handsomely in Hanover against Germany last month. Against the Czech Republic a week later he appeared to be moving back to his best but again Charlton showed he shrewd he is.

He knew there was much more to come and singled McGrath out for criticism complaining that his stopper supreme had been 'standoffish' and made it clear he could still not count on his place for the New Jersey opener against the Italians.

The psychology worked, the Florida sunshine at Ireland's training headquarters helping to bring McGrath out of the darkness. Against Italy he was his old self again. No longer an ordinary player but one who Townsend described as 'awesome'. The Irish skipper added: 'Too many people are critical of him because of things off the pitch. They only talk about his dodgy knees but on days like this he's absolutely superb.'

One moment, just before Ireland went ahead, encapsulated what he was about. When Roberto Baggio angled a clever pass into space, Giuseppe Signori picked up the chase and headed for goal confident his pace would take him beyond McGrath. However, he had not reckoned on the defender's acute sense of anticipation, moving across with impeccable timing to shepherd the ball back to Pat Bonner.

He got better as the heat of battle grew more intensive, and never straying from his central position of authority. Beside him Coventry's Babb exuded the same efficiency. 'I always knew the man McGrath was world class and here was the proof' the junior partner said.

McGrath's own assessment was modest: 'I did not think I had too bad a game. I am happy just to have got through it quite well,' he said. 'Some people thought I would not even make it out here but there was never a doubt in my mind. Now I'm just looking for a short rest and then ahead to the game with Mexico on Friday.'

Understandably Charlton was full of praise. 'McGrath was terrific. The extra yard of pace might be missing but his reading of the game was superb as was his heading and tackling. He is in good heart, and is mentally fine again. He is also off the booze. To quell Baggio and Signori says everything about him.'

It was another high in a career that has been punctuated by well documented drinking exploits and a turbulent personal life. Of that he will only say: 'I've made some mistakes in my time but I've been fortunate to work with managers who were sensitive and who could get through to me - people like Graham Taylor, Jozef Venglos and, not least, Ron Atkinson. Jack Charlton also fits easily into that list. He's a strong man who won't normally tolerate bad discipline but he's also very astute in management and when the occasion needs it he can be flexible.'

(Photograph omitted)