Seismic! Historic! Revolutionary!

Robbie Keane has warned Spain the Republic of Ireland will be ready for whatever they intend to throw at them.

After Sunday’s deflating defeat, Irish fans might see a victory over Euro 2012 favourites Spain in tomorrow’s Group C clash as unlikely, but La Roja midfielder Sergio Busquets said yesterday that he and his team-mates were prepared for a difficult game.

Spain’s draw with a surprisingly impressive Italy was not a bad result for the defending Euro champions, but their performance threw up more questions than answers ahead of their clash with Ireland on Thursday.

Premier League followers might be surprised, but Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres looks set for a more central role than Manchester City’s title winner David Silva for Spain this month.

France coach Laurent Blanc insists he has no intention of quitting his role after Euro 2012 despite being linked with some of Europe’s top club sides.

Last Wednesday at Lansdowne Road, Ireland were given another lesson in the dangers of playing possession-based teams.

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson has announced his retirement from international football after withdrawing from the England squad to face Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday.

SO HOW was it for you? Did the earth move? See stars before your eyes? Hear a ringing in your ears?

It would have been an altogether different spectacle in South Africa had our boys taken their rightful place among the nations of the earth. At least Sepp will know better the next time we ask for special dispensation.

The under-belly of South African society is unlikely to be given the spotlight over the next month, says Fiachra O Cionnaith.

MANKIND’S greatest global sports festival opens in South Africa this afternoon when the hosts play Mexico in World Cup 2010’s opening game.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra will miss the World Cup with a stomach problem.

FAVOURITES Spain are facing a potentially mouthwatering semi-final clash with Argentina – provided Diego Maradona’s troubled side can settle in time for their opening game with Nigeria in Johannesburg.

FIFA have rejected a proposal to have the experimental system of having five referees involved in every match fast-tracked for next summer’s World Cup.

The FAI's plea to be allowed to play in the World Cup finals will be discussed by FIFA tomorrow – but looks doomed to failure.

NOT so much a new chapter in the ‘Hand of Gaul’ saga, more like a postscript.

The Republic of Ireland have made one last stand to play in next year’s World Cup finals by asking FIFA to allow them in as a 33rd nation following their controversial play-off defeat to France.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has claimed the FAI asked to be included in the World Cup finals as an extra team following Ireland’s controversial play-off exit to France.

AS the final whistle went last Wednesday, I looked away from the celebrating Barça players and my eyes alighted on one of the many special UEFA advertising hoardings – this one had “Fair Play” emblazoned across it.

The Italian FA has confirmed that the World Cup 2010 qualifier between Italy and the Republic of Ireland on April 1st will take place in Bari at 20.50 local time (19.50 Irish time).

WITH both the English and Irish international soccer sides now being steered managerially by two Italian legends and both making encouraging starts to their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaigns, the time is appropriate for the return of the England soccer team to Dublin.

IRISH soccer fans could be set for a ticket bonanza for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia after the decision to relocate the fixture to the Germany city of Mainz.

The World Cup 2010 qualifying match between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland scheduled for September 6 will take place at a neutral venue, FIFA have confirmed.

Liam Brady believes the Republic of Ireland players will relish working for the man he calls the ’Italian Bill Shankly’.

Azerbaijan have named former Scotland manager Berti Vogts as their new coach.

NEW Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has pencilled in a second friendly for the end of May, it was confirmed last night.

Senior Republic of Ireland players have warned they will not tolerate any further delay in the naming of a permanent successor to Steve Staunton after their narrow defeat to Brazil last night.

FORMER Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been catapulted into the frame for the Republic of Ireland manager’s job after an extraordinary day of behind-the-scenes activity.

The schedule for Ireland's World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign has been announced by the FAI today.

DESPITE dropping three places to 35th in the latest FIFA world rankings, the Republic of Ireland will be third seeds in the World Cup 2010 draw in Durban tomorrow.

Scotland manager Alex McLeish is expected to be offered an extension to his contract which expires after the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

HAVING laboured as fourth seeds in the current Euro 2008 campaign, the Republic of Ireland are set to move up a rung in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

STEVE STAUNTON has made no secret of the fact that he sees himself engaged in a rebuilding programme which has the World Cup 2010 as its ultimate goal, even as he tries to steer his transitional Irish side through to the European finals in Switzerland and Austria in 20 months’ time.

THE FAI yesterday rejected reports that the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2008 and World Cup qualifying games will not be broadcast free to air on RTÉ.

Steve Staunton is expected to be formally unveiled as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland later today.

RTÉ has secured radio and television broadcast rights to the RBS 6 Nations until 2009.

South Africa today won the contest to stage the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is to host World Cup 2010, FIFA has announced.