“Santa Claus would come at Christmas and Rovers would win the Cup.”

As the League of Ireland season kicks off tonight, all eyes will be on Dundalk’s four-in-a-row title quest even if the manager with history in his grasp won’t countenance personal accolades.

FAI ambassador and former Irish international Ray Houghton has said it’s up to people involved in Irish football to make the local game more attractive to fans.

Former Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely has branded fans that went to last week’s friendly between Shamrock Rovers and Liverpool at the Avivia Stadium to support the English side as “morons”.

We had a bit of fun out of controvassy, while it lasted. But it’s hard to see where controvassy can go from here.

Alan Mathews has been appointed manager of Shelbourne FC, it was announced today.

Mervue United 2 Shelbourne 4

DESPITE giving an admirable account of themselves, Shelbourne, the former giants of Irish football, couldn’t turn giant killers at Tolka Park, as a first half Roy O’Donovan penalty was enough to see Cork City through to the next round of the FAI Ford Cup.

SHELBOURNE have decided not to appeal their demotion from the Premier Division but the club will appeal conditions attached to the awarding of their First Division licence by the FAI.

Dermot Keely has been confirmed as the new manager of Shelbourne.

EVEN though George O’Callaghan resumed training with Cork City’s U21 team last night, it’s not yet clear if the move represents any significant thawing of his relationship with the senior team and management.

Waterford United have appointed Gareth Cronin as the new manager at the RSC.

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon plans on making many changes to his Shelbourne side as they take on Sunderland in a friendly fixture tomorrow.

Dublin City manager Dermot Keely is considering making a number of changes to his side for tonight's clash with Monaghan United.

Dublin City 1 Bohemians 2

Dublin City will be without Ger McCarthy for the next six weeks after the striker suffered an ankle injury.

CORK CITY open the defence of their eircom Premier League of Ireland crown at Turner’s Cross tonight, with newly-promoted Dublin City providing the upstart opposition.

THE eircom League managerial turnstile took a full spin yesterday, as Roddy Collins parted company with Shamrock Rovers and Mike Kerley took over at Waterford United.

Dermot Keely has committed his future to Dublin City despite overtures from Irish League outfit Newry.

Dublin City will attempt to defend a 2-1 lead when they face Premier Division Shamrock Rovers in tonight’s play-off second leg at Tolka Park.

I DOUBT that when he started out on a career in accountancy, Neil Hughes ever imagined that the day would come when he would find himself being hailed as some kind of saviour by a crowd of football supporters.

Longford Town manager Alan Mathews has put pen to paper on a new three-season contract with the Midlands club.

Relegated Dublin City have added more players to their squad for 2005 and a new assistant for manager Dermot Keely.

New Dublin City manager Dermot Keely has begun his attempt at returning the Vikings to the top flight with three new signings for next season.

FORMER Cork City and Shamrock Rovers defender Gareth Cronin has taken his first steps into management as Dermot Keely’s assistant at relegated Dublin City.

All eyes will be on the Tolka Park dugouts tonight when Roddy Collins takes charge of Shamrock Rovers against Dublin City, the club he walked out on two weeks ago (7.45pm).

Dublin City will reluctantly take the field tonight at Flancare Park (7.45pm) after having their request for a postponement of their game with Longford Town rejected.

Roddy Collins today walked out on Dublin City to take over as manager of Shamrock Rovers.

SHELBOURNE are 90 minutes away from the most significant breakthrough made by any eircom league club and you could sense the anticipation in Tolka Park yesterday.

Dermot Keely has resigned as manager of Derry City after his side went down last night to bottom-of-the-table UCD in the eircom League Premier Division.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC look set to add to their growing reputation when they face first division side Kildare County in the quarter-final of the FAI Carlsberg Cup at Richmond Park tonight (7.45 ko).

Dermot Keely's Derry had no answer to APOEL as they tamely exited the UEFA Cup qualifying round second leg at the Brandywell.

Coleraine boss Marty Quinn fears a lack of preparation time could cost his side dear in the UEFA Cup tonight.

Derry City have hardly had the best preparation for their match in Cyprus against Apoel Nicosia.

ANTHONY BUCKLEY faces a late fitness test as Cobh Ramblers player/manager Dave Hill attempts to plot the downfall of the FAI Carlsberg Cup holders, Derry City, in the second round replay at St. Colman’s Park tonight (7.45 pm).

Derry City manager Kevin Mahon has been released by the northern club following a string of poor league results, which have seen them slip to second from bottom in the Premier Division table.

IF Damien Duff thought visiting part of his past might have offered some refuge from the constant questions about his future, he was sadly mistaken.

KILDARE COUNTY will run special bus services to Belfield tonight for spectators wanting to see their historic first match in the FAI Carlsberg Cup against UCD (7.45pm).

First Division Cup

Division 1 Cup, Saturday July 6: Kildare County FC v Limerick FC, Station Road, 7pm

Kildare County FC suffered their first ever defeat on Tuesday night as they fell 2-0 to Premier Division stars Bohemians in an absorbing pre-season friendly at Kildare Town.

Kildare County FC 2 Bray Wanderers 2

Kildare County manager Dermot Keely will finally get his teeth into the meaty end of managing the Eircom League's newest club when the Thoroughbreds play a friendly against Bray Wanderers in Castledermot on Saturday at 7pm.

Former Shelbourne boss Dermot Keely has been confirmed as the new boss of Kildare County for next season.

Shelbourne have finally confirmed Pat Fenlon as their new manager today following Dermot Keely’s resignation four weeks ago.

Shelbourne will finally confirm Pat Fenlon as their new manager later today following Dermot Keely’s resignation four weeks ago.

Pat Fenlon is expected to be confirmed as the new Shelbourne boss later this evening.