Mick McCarthy has been singing the praises of young Ireland international Michael Obafemi after seeing the 19-year-old in action in Southampton’s 1-1 FA Cup draw with Spurs on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy says that Adam Idah has put himself “right into our thoughts” with his sensational hat-trick for Norwich in their 4-2 FA Cup win at Preston.

Troy Parrott could yet return to Ireland’s U21s for tomorrow’s Euro qualifier against Sweden as manager Stephen Kenny will wait to see if the teen is involved for the seniors tomorrow night.

After missing two earlier chances, Zack Elbouzedi was relieved to be Ireland’s matchwinner in Armenia to keep their Euro U21 qualification journey on track.

Nathan Collins is confident that decimated Ireland can keep their U21 European Championship challenge on course in Armenia today.

This stalemate against the top seeds maintains an unbeaten start for Stephen Kenny’s side, who stay top of their group heading into Tuesday’s visit to Iceland.

Stephen Kenny's under-21s have won their Euro qualifier in Sweden.

Stephen Kenny and his Swiss friend Christophe Moulin have many things in common such as their coaching philosophy, a Pro Licence qualification from the Northern Ireland FA and even their year of birth.

Debut U21 call-ups for Troy Parrott, Michael Obafemi and Johnathan Afolabi have reinforced the sense of a rich vein of attacking talent bubbling up in Irish football, something further underlined in Stephen Kenny’s latest squad announcement by a decision to make a distinction on paper between ‘central midfielders’ and ‘attacking midfielder

Stephen Kenny cited a gruelling schedule for Ireland U21s not pushing Brazil harder in yesterday’s Toulon Tournament semi-final.

Stephen Kenny saluted his Ireland U21 warriors for securing a draw against Mexico which puts them on the brink of reaching the Toulon Tournament semi-finals.

Stephen Kenny hailed his Ireland U21 side’s quickfire start in yesterday’s demolition of China.

The only doubt Stephen Kenny has about Troy Parrott’s readiness for U21 action relates to the player’s current injury problems.

Christian Brothers College Cork grabbed a last minute victory over holders Crescent College Comprehensive in a pulsating Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup final at Musgrave Park today.

Westport 1-10 Kenmare 0-11 (after extra-time): We were 78 minutes into this All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final when Westport snuck their noses in front for the first time.

The Republic of Ireland finished their Uefa U17 Championships Qualifying Round group in pole position after a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Lohja, Finland, yesterday.

He wouldn’t take kindly to be called an old dog, but Kerry minor coach Jack O’Connor has traversed enough hard roads around Munster to recognise the changing of the guard when he sees it.

Shannon Rangers 0-9 Dr Crokes 2-16: It was all so easy for Dr Crokes who had 13 points to spare over last year’s semi-finalists Shannon Rangers in this Kerry SFC first round tie at Tarbert on Saturday evening.

A force 4-5 moderate to fresh northerly breeze heralded the start of the 2012 ASM Marine KYC Frostbite Series at Kinsale Harbour last Sunday.

CLONTARF remain six points ahead of Ballymena in second place and are eight better off than fourth-placed Galwegians, yet their New Zealand coach, Phil Werahiko, is not taking qualification for the knock-out stages of the AIB League for granted.