When you’ve spent a career scrapping in every tier of English football, as Rene Gilmartin has, a promotion to the Premier League is treated with a healthy does of scepticism rather than elation.

Crawley 0 Stoke 2

Stoke named a strong-looking side for today’s FA Cup fifth-round tie with Crawley.

Ross Gaynor marked his debut for the Republic of Ireland’s U21 side with two important goals against Madeira tonight.

Madeira Under-21 2 Republic of Ireland Under-21 2

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s will field a largely experimental side in this week’s Madeira invitational tournament after losing a host of the original squad members.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U21 manager Don Givens has been forced to ring the changes after losing Anthony Stokes and five other players from his squad for the Madeira Cup tournament which kicks off at the end of the month.

Don Givens has braced his Republic of Ireland Under-21 stars for their next challenge by insisting there is no reason for them to show any fear.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 3 Azerbaijan Under-21 0 (Republic of Ireland Under-21s win 5-1 on aggregate)

Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Don Givens will throw 18-year-old Rene Gilmartin into the lion’s den tonight.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has urged his players to take heed of Huddersfield’s League One play-off semi-final misery as they target European success.

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has made four changes to his squad for the double fixture against Azerbaijan next week.

Republic of Ireland Under-16 manager Vincent Butler has named a squad of 18 players for an assessment match against Longford Town at Flancare Park, Longford, on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, (kick-off 7.30pm).