When Giovanni Trapattoni stole a long march on his Euro 2012 rivals by naming his squad as early as May 7, it seemed like a powerful statement of intent and a resounding expression of confidence, both in his players and in the certainty of his own decision-making.

Montecatini last night literally rolled out the green carpet, as Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and the Ireland squad were formally welcomed to this beautiful Tuscan spa town, the reception committee including the Lord Mayor Giuseppi Bellandi and the reigning Miss Italy Stefania Bivone.

“Well, yes, and here we go again...”

The Premier League may be a global operation but there are times when it cannot disguise its insular roots.

My hitherto cast-iron conviction that Germany will win Euro 2012 took a hell of a beating in Munich on Saturday night.

It’s nigh on impossible to consider the likely outcome of tonight’s Champions League final in Munich without referencing what Roberto Mancini rightly dubbed “a crazy season” in the Premier League.

For Irish football, this is the calm before the storm.

Notwithstanding the fact that this year’s final boasts a collision of two modern heavyweights, the FA seems to be going out of its way to further dull the sheen of the once revered trophy which still bears its name — albeit now with a certain brew on the side.

City proved they were the top dogs in Manchester last night.

Let’s say Swiss television ran a version of ‘The Voice’ and decided to call it ‘The Yodel’, then rest assured, Gary Neville would be one of those poor divils who only features in the end of season compilation of embarrassing audition outtakes, included just to give everybody a cheap laugh.