If you accept that full-time clubs were essential for the future of Irish football there’s an obvious follow-up question: how do we create sustainable full-time clubs in Ireland?

Liverpool were setting off at lunchtime today for an epic 24-hour overland journey to Madrid for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final.

Liverpool’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid will go ahead as planned on Thursday despite the problems with flights, UEFA today announced.