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.