WORLD CUP QUALIFIER GROUP C:

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has provisionally included Robbie Brady in the team to play Sweden in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier in Sweden tomorrow.

It could be as late as Friday before we finally get to crack the open or shut case of the Friends Arena roof in Stockholm.

Ireland's top international football stars have been honoured at the FAI International Football Awards tonight.

Now that the dust has settled on Europe's volcano crisis Ireland's women's hockey team can finally concentrate on their World Cup Qualifier in South America this week.

Northern Ireland will take on Albania in a friendly international on Wednesday March 3.

I HATE international breaks. I especially hate international breaks when greed, incompetence and more total disregard for the fans meant that come Saturday, there were thousands of people wandering their respective towns trying (mostly in vain) to find a pub showing the England game.

Midfielder Damien Duff has returned to the Republic of Ireland training camp today.

Giovanni Trapattoni is looking forward to the Cyprus game and has said the World Cup Qualifier will pose a different problem for his team.

CIARAN GLYNN took over the best-of-the-Irish mantle in the HSBC World Cup Qualifier at Tattersalls, Co Meath, yesterday, when slotting into eighth at the end of the dressage phase.

Damien Duff has returned to England from the Republic of Ireland's training base in Malahide.

The Republic of Ireland will play Australia on August 12 at Thomond Park Stadium, the FAI has announced today.

Monday

TIPPERARY show jumper Denis Lynch put himself top of the Global Champions Tour leaderboard on Saturday, when he placed fourth in Monte Carlo.

JESSICA KÜRTEN yesterday filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the two-month suspension imposed by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) as a result of the banned medication found in the horse Castle Forbes Maike.

The Irish Women's hockey team suffered a heavy defeat (0-6) to top seeds China in their crossover game at the World Cup Qualifier in Rome today, (12pm Irish time).

THE Irish Hockey Association has appointed Paul Varian to the permanent position of Chief Executive.

SHOW JUMPER Jessica Kürten notched up a hat-trick of wins at Leipzig over the weekend, but failed to make a major impression in yesterday’s World Cup Qualifier.

THE formal ratification of Robert Splaine as chef d’equipe to the senior show jumping team may not take place until January, as the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) has not scheduled an executive meeting until the New Year.

IRELAND’S senior men’s hockey squad face a demanding but exciting programme over the coming months in preparation for the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Chanzhou, China, from March 12 to 23 next.

Ireland manager, Brian Kerr, today issued a statement in relation to the yesterday's injury to midfielder, Roy Keane.

Ireland has beaten Austria 2-1 in the semi-finals of the European Nations Trophy in Rome.

Brian Kerr has chosen Richard Dunne ahead of Andy O'Brien and Andy Reid instead of Steve Finnan in his team to face France in their Group 4 World Cup Qualifier tonight at Lansdowne Road.

ISRAELI defender Shimon Gershon likened the final moments of Saturday’s World Cup Qualifier against Ireland to a “street fight.”

SCOTLAND have decided against risking the fitness of midfielder Nigel Quashie in Wednesday’s must-win match in Moldova.

England 2 Wales 0

REGRETTABLY, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy’s largesse towards Punchestown is proving to be a poison chalice for equestrianism.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed to Mick McCarthy that Roy Keane will need three weeks rest for his injured knee to recover.

The Republic of Ireland soccer team may have to travel to Iran for their World Cup Qualifier in November, as the war in neighbouring Afghanistan continues.

Liverpool’s strike force came good as a Michael Owen hat-trick and goals from Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey secured a vital win for England over Germany in their World Cup Qualifier in Munich.

England lead Germany by two goals to one at half time in their World Cup Qualifier at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Michael Owen has levelled the sides with 12 mins gone in England's World Cup Qualifier against Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy paid tribute to the only goalscorer of the game - Jason McAteer, after his goal grabbed Ireland all three points.

Ten-man Ireland have broken the deadlock to take the lead in their World Cup Qualifier against Holland at Lansdowne Road.

Gary Kelly has been sent off for Ireland in their World Cup Qualifier against Holland.

There have been more disturbances in Munich ahead of England's crunch World Cup Qualifier against Germany.

Ireland take a nil all draw into the dressingroom at half time in their crucial World Cup Qualifier against Holland.

Ireland and Holland have kicked off their World Cup Qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

Dutch international Frank de Boer has had his year-long doping ban reduced to 11 weeks by a Uefa appeals panel.

Matthew Holland has put Ireland two goals up in the World Cup Qualifier clash against Estonia.

Ireland have scored in the opening 10 minutes of their World Cup Qualifier against Estonia.

Ireland somehow survived moments of sheer desperation and emerged with a point from their World Cup Qualifier against Portugal at Lansdowne Road.

Northern Ireland are losing by three goals in their World Cup Qualifier against Bulgaria.