Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo and Paul McGinley both stated yesterday that they did not want to say any more on the Irishman's decision to resign as an assistant.

McGinley stood down on Wednesday with both of them putting the emphasis on his wish to concentrate on qualifying for next September's match against the Americans.

That did not stop his resignation being linked to Faldo picking York's Simon Dyson and Scot Marc Warren for this week's Seve Trophy in Ireland and leaving out McGinley.

Further intrigue was added with a report that McGinley had been led to believe he would be given a wild card, but the Dubliner commented: ''I don't want to say anything and I certainly don't want to get involved in a slanging match.

''I just want it to go away and get on with my playing.''

After the first day's play at The Heritage, west of Dublin, with a Britain and Ireland side devoid of any Irishmen losing 3-2 to Continental Europe, Faldo said: ''I'm aware of what's going on in the media and in view of that I will not be talking about anything to do with the Ryder Cup.

''I want to concentrate on this out of respect for Seve (Continental captain Seve Ballesteros) and this event. I've got my head down and I'm thinking purely of this event. So are the players.''

When asked about the report relating to McGinley's possible inclusion in the team, Faldo added: ''As I stated, I will not be talking about anything other than this week. No, this event, Seve's event."

Faldo was also asked about his signalling to Colin Montgomerie to come down from the clubhouse balcony to join his team-mates as the final game reached the last green.

''He was in the warmth and we're out there freezing,'' said Faldo. ''We'll drag him out there tomorrow.''

Montgomerie, a member of the last eight Ryder Cup teams, was also asked about McGinley's resignation.

''I thought his timing was unfortunate, but I don't think it will have any effect on team spirit for next year's match,'' said the Scot.

''Maybe we're better picking a vice-captain a month before the event rather than so far in advance."

On the course, watched by a meagre crowd, Montgomerie and fellow Scot Marc Warren lost the top game three and one to Swedish pair Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson.

Faldo's side is lacking Open champion Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, while Ballesteros had seven players turn down the chance to play for him, including top four Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Niclas Fasth and Anders Hansen.

But the European team edged the opening exchanges and might have been further ahead but for Hartlepool's Graeme Storm sinking an 18-foot birdie putt on the final green of the final game.

That gave Storm and Nick Dougherty a one-hole victory over Danes Thomas Bjorn and Soren Hansen.

''It feels marvellous,'' said French Open champion Storm. ''We dovetailed well and to be only one point behind helps our confidence.''

Paul Casey certainly needed his confidence boosting after the way he started.

Britain and Ireland's second highest-ranked player behind Justin Rose was in water three times in the first six holes and Faldo felt the need to intervene with some swing thoughts at that point.

Some players might not have liked that in mid-match.

Bbut although Casey and Dyson went on to lose four and three to Frenchmen Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret, Casey commented afterwards: ''Not an issue - it was confirmation of a fault I've got."

Collated scores in the opening fourballs of the Seve Trophy, Great Britain and Ireland v Continental Europe, at The Heritage, Killenard, Ireland (Gbr and Ire names first):

GB&Ire 2 Continental Europe 3

Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren lost to Peter Hanson and Robert Karlsson 2 and 1

Bradley Dredge and Phillip Archer bt Miguel Angel Jimenez and Gonzalo Fernandez- Castano 2 and 1

Paul Casey and Simon Dyson lost to Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret 4 and 3

Nick Dougherty and Graeme Storm bt Thomas Bjorn and Soren Hansen 1 hole

Justin Rose and Oliver Wilson lost to Markus Brier and Mikko Ilonen 3 and