His upward mobility so far might tempt some people to reach for the ‘Troy Of The Rovers’ headlines but the real world of football can often find a way to spoil a comic book storyline.

A teenage boy died while playing in an U16 football match yesterday.

JOHN MORLING’S Republic of Ireland U16 team were denied victory by a late Israel equaliser in their friendly international in Ra’anana, southern Israel, yesterday.

AN historic week in Irish football didn’t begin and end with Marco Tardelli’s press conference at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown on Tuesday.

Republic of Ireland U-16 manager, Vincent Butler has announced a 19-man squad for the upcoming double international friendly against Germany which will be played in Blarney in Cork and Listowel in Kerry.