First, it was Aaron Connolly and now it’s Troy Parrott – two stars who have been lost to the Irish U21 team as Mick McCarthy makes an offer than can’t be refused.

Shay Given has promised the Republic of Ireland’s play-off opponents they will give them a fight whoever they are.

A kidnapped Catholic archbishop was released in Iraq today, less than 24 hours after he was abducted, and said the pope’s intervention had led to his freedom.

A Catholic archbishop kidnapped in northern Iraq was freed today, 24 hours after his abduction, a church official said.