Pragmatism essential after hubris of last FAI blueprint and National Leagues front and centre with Damien Duff to the forefront.

Burning desire or wing on a prayer for Darragh? And Cork City skipper Eva Mangan torn between UK offers and home comforts.

Long-fingering of betting tax a worry and major Irish January transfer moves will go to wire.

Ex-Shels supremo O'Connor handed summer soccer role by FAI and McHugh Junior in demand as Ireland shape up to face Oz.

Farrugia's prophecy meets reality at Stamford Bridge and a clean FAI departure for Gleeson despite fallback option.

Elsewhere a slow transfer window is set to ramp up with Shels eyeing recruits.

Summer 2026 the aspiration for FAI National League third tier and wonderkid John-Joe Finn's La Liga bloom a boon for Ireland.

Concerns around match-fixing are usually confined to the professional game but the FAI have laid down the law by imposing an eight-month ban on a player involved in the amateur sphere.

Elsewhere and the Women footballers hold the last chance of Irish success this year.

Final domestic date of the year could have deepest consequences and split erupts over Uefa handouts.