Martin O’Neill wasn’t the only one to rein in his enthusiasm when the Nations League was thrust upon us this year but he paid a bigger price for his indifference to it than most.

Keith Andrews believes Mick McCarthy is the right man to take over from Martin O’Neill as Ireland manager.

"If you offered me the job of managing Real Madrid or Barcelona or Ireland, I would choose to manage Ireland, because it's the greatest honour you can have as an Irishman."

Having scaled the highs of Lille, and Long versus the Germans, and having sunk to the lows of Denmark and a tepid Nations League campaign, the O’Neill-Keane era has come to an end “by mutual agreement”.

Roy Keane always insisted that he would never become a television pundit.

There was a brief break from the script during the announcement of a joint-bid by the FAI and IFA for the 2023 U21 Euros hosting when the North’s chief executive touched on the importance of full houses to associations.

With Martin O’Neill’s exit and a new appointment apparently imminent as Ireland manager, it looks as if the FAI are hoping for a quick-fix to boost chances of qualifying for the Euro 2020 finals which will be part-hosted in Dublin, says Liam Brady.

In what would make for an unusually quick running of the succession stakes, the FAI intend to have a new Ireland manager installed in time for the Euro 2020 draw in Dublin on Sunday week, December 2.

In the aftermath of a drab, scoreless draw against Denmark on Monday, Martin O’Neill assured the media that his players would be ready for the “big stuff” in March.

If he turned on the telly in the team hotel ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Northern Ireland last Thursday, Séamus Coleman might have taken inspiration from watching Theresa May defend her Brexit deal in the House of Commons.

Martin O'Neill has said he is leaving his role as Republic of Ireland manager "with a heavy heart", having fulfilled one of his "lifetime ambitions" by taking on the role.

It was announced today that O'Neill and Roy Keane had parted ways with the FAI after five years in charge.

Who is the best fit for the role?

It is understood the FAI would prefer to have a manager in place before the Euro 2020 qualifying, which takes place on December 2.

As the positive results dried up, there was nothing to provide hope or entertainment for the fans who deserted him last week, writes Paul Kelly.

Here we look at some of the numbers behind O'Neill's career as Ireland boss.

Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane have parted company with the FAI by mutual agreement.

“I think the Irish supporters have a good balance. If they see players going out giving their all – they’ll back you all the way.”

Jason McAteer has blamed his long-time foe Roy Keane for Declan Rice's expected decision to declare for England.

Roy Keane is unlikely to be joining Richard Keys and Andy Gray as a pundit on beIn Sports in Qatar any time soon.

Despite his off-field spats with Irish players, Roy Keane has risen in a poll of Ireland's most admired sports personalities.

David Meyler insists the recent turmoil surrounding the Republic of Ireland was blown out of proportion.

Harry Arter has been urged to end his international exile and current dispute with the Republic of Ireland set-up by club manager Neil Warnock.

If you remember, it was Muhammad Ali started it, not Mick McCarthy or Ian Evans or even Tom Humphries’ interview.

Niall Quinn knows what it is to suffer Roy Keane’s wrath.

John Giles would not only welcome Declan Rice back into the fold but would put him straight into the Irish team.

Keith Andrews believes that if Ireland lose both games and badly underperform in next month’s Nations League double header at the Aviva, there will be no way back for the Martin O’Neill/Roy Keane management team.

Tony Cascarino has become the latest former Ireland international to criticise Roy Keane’s actions as Ireland assistant boss – stating that the former Man United great was ‘anything but a professional’.

Martin O’Neill has said that Stephen Ward’s leaked account of the row involving Roy Keane, Harry Arter and Jon Walters has no implications for the Burnley man’s international career.

Martin O’Neill has said that Roy Keane is ready to have a “reconciliation” with Harry Arter.

A great power was given to Roy Keane. A power that can be dispensed in a look. By just making the face.

For all the knowledge and intuition Roy Keane is blessed with, it’s his frankness and tone which ultimately proves his Achilles heel.

The UK’s TV watchdog, Ofcom, has assessed complaints that football pundit Ian Wright mocked Roy Keane’s accent and said that the “exchange was intended in good humour”.

Media personality and sports pundit Eamon Dunphy says he is disappointed with how Roy Keane has become a rebel without a cause.

Gerard Pique has revealed how earning the wrath of Roy Keane gave him an early insight into life at Manchester United.

While much has been made of the timing and apparent abruptness of Roy Keane’s departure from Aston Villa – just 24 hours before a game at Burnley – Martin O’Neill has indicated that the matter was on his assistant’s mind for some time.

Aston Villa fans saw Roy Keane as their saviour. The decision to make him assistant manager came at a time when all the fans I knew were baying for blood.

Cork legend Roy Keane may be returning to the bosom of his native city as his former Ipswich home has been put on the market again for a cool £3.5m (€4.29m).

There is the legend that is Roy Keane and there are the urban legends about Roy Keane.

Your starter for 10— can you name the assistant manager of Brazil? Or Spain? Or Argentina?

THE BAD BAD COP

There will be no “financial nationalism” in the coming bank stress tests to be carried out ahead of the ECB taking over as the single banking supervisor, economics commissioner Olli Rehn has warned.

A verdict is expected later in the trial of Adam Clayton's former PA.

A jury in the trial of Adam Clayton’s personal assistant who is accused of stealing nearly €3 million from him will resume their deliberations tomorrow.