Scandal-hit retailer Steinhoff said it had refinanced some €9bn of debt in its overseas operations which include Dealz in the Republic, Poundland in the North and Britain, and France’s Conforama, after pushing the deadline date back repeatedly.

The Republic has doubled its second-hand car imports to 100,000 in the past two years, while new car sales have slumped in “a clear and dramatic effect” from the Brexit slide in sterling, according to the Marketing Institute of Ireland and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Irish firms are being urged to invest in the US, with American political and business leaders insisting there are “vast” opportunities in the US heartland, away from the traditional locations on the east and west coasts.

An Post has warned that its ability to provide a national postal service is under threat because of the company’s worsening financial situation.

The future of the prestigious George Mitchell scholarships, which allows top US students to study in Ireland for a year, is under threat due to the withdrawal of funding by Irish and American governments, businesses, and philanthropists.

Seamus Coleman has admitted the Republic of Ireland must learn from their mistakes if they are to keep alive their hopes of making it to the Euro 2016 finals.

Noel King will send his Republic of Ireland Under-21s side into friendly battle with Norway with one eye on the next qualifying campaign.

Roy Keane has distanced himself from speculation that he could be the man to succeed Neil Lennon as Celtic manager.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni launched an impassioned defence of his reign after seeing his side’s hopes of World Cup qualification all but blown out of the water.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has told Seamus Coleman he has a bright future on the international stage.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni faces further disruption ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands after suffering a double injury blow.

Sunderland winger James McClean appears to be winning his fitness battle and will fly to Kazakhstan with the Republic of Ireland today.

THE ballroom in Leinster House is as appropriate a place as any to receive the grandmaster of the Orange Order Edward Stevenson at noon today.

The families of six men shot dead in a sectarian massacre have praised football chiefs after they agreed to let the Republic of Ireland mark the atrocity at Euro 2012.

Robbie Keane insists the Republic of Ireland will be going all out for victory in tonight’s Euro 2012 play-off first leg clash with Estonia.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said his side must not take Estonia lightly in the play-offs for the European Championships next year.

Armenia Under-21 4 Republic of Ireland 1

Liam Brady is confident the time has come for the Republic of Ireland to end their long wait for a victory over one of European football’s big guns.

Shay Given felt as if the Republic of Ireland had been dumped out of the World Cup when reigning champions Italy snatched a famous victory from their grasp.

Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady aims to maintain his World Cup “dream” by beating reigning champions Italy in Dublin tomorrow.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has cast his net further afield as he prepares for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria.

COVENTRY star Gary McSheffrey has issued a come and get me plea to the Republic of Ireland and Scotland as a potential battle threatens to be waged for his services.

Gay rights campaigners tonight hit-out at a cross party Oireachtas report on the family claiming it had missed the opportunity to push for equal rights for same-sex and heterosexual couples.

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane and Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison have been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Portugal at Lansdowne Road on February 9.

THE return for Ireland from nine challenge games in ten months can only be regarded as disappointing. The results have been outstanding but the old selection problems remain, in spite of Brian Kerr's best efforts.

The Irish Under-19 squad has made five late changes for the four-team tournamnet in Oport in Portugal this week.

Damien Duff could miss the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury.