England manager Gareth Southgate has promised to deploy his best poker face during today’s World Cup draw in Moscow regardless of who the Three Lions must play next summer.

Diego Maradona's retelling of Argentina's 1986 World Cup victory is a quixotic joy, writes Noel Baker

If not always the football, then the results continue to flow in the World Cup qualifiers. writes Liam Mackey

The modern Champions League format has little space for romance or novelty — as seen by this week’s fixture list as Arsenal and Bayern Munich, and Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, met again for the upteenth time in recent years.

Liam Brady once said the best two keepers he played with were also the quietest — Dino Zoff and Pat Jennings. The latter knows the uphill battle facing Northern Ireland this month, but is living proof of what can be achieved punching above their weight.

Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0: Northern Ireland eclipsed Billy Bingham’s team of the mid 1980s by stretching their unbeaten run into double figures, as they beat Slovenia 1-0 in their friendly in Belfast last night.

Apart from the two Irish groups, what else was decided last night?

Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill paid tribute to the team for buying into his philosophy after they sealed their place at next summer’s European Championship last night.

Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill paid tribute to the team for buying into his philosophy after they sealed their place at next summer’s European Championship.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has told his players to “write their legacy” by sealing their place at Euro 2016.

Northern Ireland inched ever closer to a place in France next summer after victory over the 10-man Faroe Islands.

It was a remarkable thing to say about a summer that had just seen Diego Maradona reach his peak, but Jack Charlton wasn’t in Mexico to be entertained.

John Giles has aired his disappointment at not being part of the RTÉ panel for tomorrow’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier and admits he’s unsure if there’s a future for him with the national broadcaster.

In one of his last interviews as RTÉ's soccer anchor, Bill O' Herlihy spoke to Kieran Shannon about Charlton, Dunphy, Giles and retirement.

Brian O’Driscoll… Pray for us… AP McCoy… Pray for us… Henry Shefflin… Pray for us… Ruby Walsh…. Pray for us.

The world of football has been lining up to praise the incredible skills of Lionel Messi after his spellbinding show against Bayern Munich.

The referee at the centre of Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal at the 1986 World Cup has broken his silence about his decision to award one of the football’s most controversial goals to Argentina — and has claimed it was not his fault.

Pope Francis welcomed the victorious Bayern Munich team to the Vatican after their 7-1 Champions League rout of Roma, telling them they "played a wonderful game" and receiving a signed jersey and ball in return.

An impressive start to their Euro 2016 campaign has heightened talk of Scotland’s first qualification for a major tournament since 1998, a route they can shuttle towards by beating Ireland at Parkhead.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill admits the expansion of the European Championship has played a part in rejuvenating his in-form side.

If declarations of this being the greatest World Cup ever were tempered during what has mostly been bland football since the knockout stages began, one theme has been maintained, if not strengthened, throughout.

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

Any preconceived ideas we had before the World Cup have been cast aside in an amazing tournament

IF we are to be friends there are some things you should know.

Photographer Billy Stickland rewinds through 25 years of Ireland ’s award-winning Inpho Sports Agency and tells the stories behind some of his own most memorable shots. Liam Mackey reports.

Pope Francis officially began his papacy as the 266th pontiff today in an installation Mass simplified to suit his style, but still grand enough to draw princes, presidents, rabbis, muftis and thousands of ordinary people to St Peter’s Square to witness the inauguration of the first Pope from the New World.

Funny that the man who told me that irreverence was a good foundation for journalism is now accorded the sort of reverence more in keeping with pop stars and the Pope than pensmiths.

It was a night when the worst fears of Ireland supporters came to pass.

When Diego Maradona slalomed through the English defence to score that wonder goal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, RTÉ’s Jimmy Magee provided the memorable soundtrack to genius... “Different Class. DIFFERENT CLASS.”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has backed Harry Redknapp as “the best man” for the England job.

GREETINGS from Moscow where, with our usual sense of timing, we arrived here late on Sunday night and managed to miss the Russian capital’s annual ‘City Day’ by a matter of hours.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane tonight became the first British or Irish player to reach 50 senior international goals as he scored twice against Macedonia.

FORMER Argentina boss Diego Maradona has targeted a return to management with Aston Villa.

Former Argentina boss Diego Maradona has targeted a return to management with Aston Villa.

Republic of Ireland 0 Argentina 1

LIKE a glitzy film premiere where the lead fails to show, Diego Maradona’s absence from the Aviva Stadium tonight has stripped the event of some of its star quality.

Argentina will use tomorrow night’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland to rid from their system their horrifying World Cup exit.

FORMER Argentina star Ossie Ardiles believes tomorrow’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium has taken on added significance since the departure of national team boss Diego Maradona.

The Argentinian Football Association have announced they will not name a new coach to succeed Diego Maradona until October at the earliest.