There are many ways you could attempt to illustrate the difference between three caps and 125 caps but Jeff Hendrick’s version is definitely more colourful than most, something not lost on the man himself as he shakes his head and tells the tale.

For the Irish football fan, this time last year was full of dreams, songs to sing and camper vans to source.

Euro 2012 will be Giovanni Trapattoni’s third time to lead a team at the finals of a major international competition. Paul Kelly looks at the campaigns in which his under-achieving Italy recorded two wins, three draws and two defeats.

A ppropriately enough fora game which took place onthe eve of the flight to Italy and onwards via Hungary to the Euros, this farewell friendly was all about Ireland’s winged wonders, as James McClean in the first half and Aiden McGeady in the second, reached for the sky.

Never apologise, never explain, so they say.

A LASTING image, and one of the very last images, from World Cup 2002.

THE Republic of Ireland women’s senior squad begins their historic bid to qualify for the finals of the European Championship for the first time when they take on Iceland at Richmond Park on Sunday (3pm) in the first leg of their playoff.

NOW I know that Roy Keane said that he planned to take a walk around the town on what was his first visit to the City Of The Tribes but what I actually behold on Eyre Square at about midday on Thursday is simply gob-smacking: Keano, dressed in civvies, walking down the street, hand in hand with a big burly bloke in full drag – tight floral print dress, cascading wig of blonde curls, tricky open-toed fashion sandals and pronounced five o’clock shadow.

ENGLAND left it late but a brace from Newcastle striker Michael Owen gave them a thrilling 3-2 win over Argentina and the bragging rights over their bitter rivals ahead of World Cup 2006.

THE Pope was looking after us. That was the unanimous chorus of delight and surprise from privileged Irish pilgrims who found themselves witnessing history close up in St Peter’s Square yesterday.

ROY KEANE might have to forego the dream of managing Ireland — if the FAI doesn’t pull its socks up a lot further.

BOHEMIAN Rhapsody was a flamboyant piece to begin with but give it to a character called Macartacus pining “I’m a poor manager, nobody loves me” to competing choruses of “Let him go”, “No, no, do not let him go,” and not even Freddie Mercury in a space shuttle could go further over the top.

MIDDLESBROUGH captain Gareth Southgate has committed himself to the Teessiders by signing a two-year contract extension which will almost certainly see him end his career at the Riverside.

Newcastle today confirmed they have agreed terms with Manchester United for the transfer of midfielder Nicky Butt.

MAYBE it was all the talk of resurrection over the Easter weekend that did it because as comebacks go, Roy Keane’s latter-day version has almost as much drama as the original.

Jacques Santini has saluted Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for showing resolve and bouncing back from his disappointing France 98 to become one of the world’s greatest players.

COACH Mick Pender watches his squad closely, repositioning players, redirecting play, halting minor transgressions and making mental notes of points to bring up later.

ROY KEANE was once content to clean his manager’s boots, accepting the chore from then boss Brian Clough in his early days as a professional at Nottingham Forest without complaint.

Football legend David Beckham has signed a multi-million pound deal to publish his "first real autobiography".

ROY KEANE has dashed any slim hopes of an early return to the Ireland team following an outspoken interview.

Maurice O'Connell, the former Governor of the Central Bank, has been appointed to carry out a thorough investigation into the workings of the Football Association of Ireland.

Former Central Bank Governor Maurice O'Connell will chair the review of the FAI's involvement in the World Cup in 2002.

WorldCup.ie, the online World Cup 2002 news website, was the number one website for Irish football fans during the World Cup.

By Liam Mackey

MICK McCARTHY last night finally signed the contract that will keep him tied to the FAI until after the 2004 European Championship.

Mexico 0 USA 2

Mexico 0 USA 2

THE fans needed smelling salts and stiff drinks and fresh air and hugs for support. They shut their eyes tight, dropped their jaws wide, held their heads in agony and threw up their hands in delight.

France 0 Denmark 2

France 0 Denmark 2

Nigeria striker Kanu is set to miss a dream World Cup date against his Arsenal team-mates in the final Group F match against England after aggravating an injury in training.

World Cup 2002 top scorers so far.

The FAI have announced they will launch an independent external review of the squad's involvement in the World Cup following the competition.

The Football Association of Ireland has announced that it will commission an independent review of its preparations for the World Cup once the competition is over.

The Football Association of Ireland has announced that it will commission an independent review of its preparations for the World Cup once the competition is over.

Italy 2 Ecuador 0

Italy 2 Ecuador 0

Mexico 1 Croatia 0

Mexico 1 Croatia 0

It is difficult to perceive how Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy’s World Cup preparations could have been more cataclysmic.

A wonderfully talented and powerful midfielder, Vieira is one of the most hardworking, battling players in world football.

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane has hinted that next year’s World Cup finals will be his last.

Ireland could be set to join a host of top teams in the 2nd group of seeds ahead of Saturday weeks draw for the World Cup Finals in Japan and Korea.