Evergreen Weso still laying on the style at 41 and Long way round to Canada for Cork native Kevin.

Refreshing to have old soldier Caulfield shooting from the hip and ground control places Major Canham's plan on standby.

Ireland '2' deserve better treatment and lights, camera action for LOI as pyramid takes shape.

Player, legislator, referee, father and grandfather are just some of his other functions that a gathering at Clontarf Castle will rejoice in on Friday night when the milestone is marked.

The comparisons with Gavin Bazunu are unavoidable. Almost three years separates them but the fact the first-choice Ireland goalkeeper has exceeded 150 senior games before his turns 22 next month illustrates the disparity in career paths.

Never a dull moment in Zefi's Italian job and Hungary friendly an untimely coincidence for in-demand Szmodics.

Ballot chicanery, the Son of Jack, Alex Ferguson denials, mystery benefactors, kingmakers, Saipan rapprochement and succession planning are just some of terms worthy of entry into the lexicon of Irish managerial appointments. And there's always Philippe Troussier.

Extra-time for FAI before PAC grilling and Liverpool's Conor Bradley showing Republic what they missed out on.

After such an underwhelming 2023 and with limited competitive action this year, it is opportune for potential to nurture into an end product.

Here we assess the performances of those in the thick of it, from both sides of the divide, attaching suitable grades for their end-of-year assignment.