As Richard Keogh outlines every bump along his trek to the Euros, he’s well within his rights to pause and describe it as a “good story”.

Irish football is mourning one of Cork’s favourite adopted sons, following the sad news of the death of Paul Bannon at the age of 59.

Jermain Defoe’s hat-trick spared Sunderland’s blushes as they defeated Exeter 6-3 in a thrilling Capital One Cup clash last night.

Republic of Ireland international David McGoldrick came off the bench to score and send Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich top of the Championship last night.

When so many young players spend more effort chasing fortunes instead of footballs, it is refreshing to discover that Anthony O’Connor does exactly the opposite.

He’s as unpredictable as he is exciting, as controversial and divisive a figure to some as anyone there’s been in Irish football, says Ewan MacKenna.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what’s best on the box tonight.

Three years on from a fruitless effort to recruit Kevin Doyle for Tottenham, Harry Redknapp yesterday succeeded at the second attempt by bringing the Ireland striker to Queen’s Park Rangers on loan.

Former Republic of Ireland international central defender Peter Murphy is having to get used to life as a footballer on the dole — and he doesn’t like it one bit.

The fact that Paddy Madden watched part of Euro 2012 in Magaluf and the rest of it back in Dublin with his Da tells you something about what a transformative year it has been for the 23-year-old who, 14 months on, now finds himself coming to grips with the novelty of working with Ireland’s senior squad.

Hod and Rod. Two men made for centre stage inched back into the glare this week.

David Alaba’s goal that broke Irish hearts has got us thinking about the art of the dying minute strike.

This afternoon’s U21 friendly against Holland at Tallaght Stadium (1pm) offers new beginnings for many Irish youngsters and Sean McGinty appreciates the chance presented to him by Noel King.

Arsenal 6 Coventry 1

Arsenal 6 Coventry 1

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Noel King has added Ipswich striker Ronan Murray and Carlisle United forward Paddy Madden to his squad for the forthcoming matches against Denmark and Italy.

FIVE months ago, Aidan White was at the crossroads of domestic and international football.

MANCHESTER UNITED avoided further humiliation after their derby drubbing as they breezed through last night’s Carling Cup fourth round clash at Aldershot, winning 3-0.

IRELAND U21 boss Noel King has given one-time senior squad member Terry Dixon, 21, an international lifeline in tomorrow’s European Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein in Eschen.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international Ian Harte is desperate for Reading to avenge his Wembley hurt by beating Cardiff City tonight.

READING’S Ian Harte says he’d welcome a return to international football if Giovanni Trapattoni picked up the phone but, for now, he’s happy to concentrate on matters domestic.

AS the competing clubs in the Setanta Sports Cup gathered at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown yesterday for a pre-tournament media day, it was not the news anyone wanted to hear — Pat Fenlon saying that Bohemians might not be able to fulfil their opening fixture against Portadown at Dalymount Park on Monday, February 21. And it has been confirmed that, if the holders are forced to pull out, their place will be taken by UCD.

A police chief defended his force today after Leeds manager Simon Grayson claimed officers failed to protect his players during a pitch invasion at Brunton Park last night.

NEW Cork City boss Roddy Collins says he is planning for Premier Division and European football next season, despite the massive uncertainty surrounding the future of the club.

HE’S the latest of the Irish football management wild geese to take wing to exotic foreign climes – and trust Roddy Collins to bid farewell to his home town with a memorable soundbyte.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has announced an 18-man squad for this month’s matches against Spain and Turkey.

NEWLY-CROWNED Republic of Ireland U21 player of the year, Owen Garvan, is hoping he can replicate his club form for Don Givens in his last year at this level with the qualifying campaign for the 2011 European Championship approaching fast.

ANTHONY STOKES remains in the international wilderness after the on-loan Sheffield United striker was once again left out of a Don Givens Under 21 squad.

Carlisle have rejected claims from the League Managers' Association that the club are trying to “avoid their legal liabilities” by insisting former manager John Ward resigned and was not dismissed.

A LAST-GASP goal from Craig Mackail-Smith gave Peterborough a 1-0 win over Ryman Premier side AFC Hornchurch in the first round of the FA Cup yesterday.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI last night professed himself happy that his message to his players is starting to get through, after Ireland beat non-league Esperanco de Lagos 3-1 in the second and last full training game of their Algarve trip to earn the Italian his first win as boss.

RODDY COLLINS has been appointed as the general manager of Livingston FC, after Irish businessman Anthony McMullen secured a 50% stake in the club.

TWO of the most persistent complaints you hear about English football are that (a) it’s too predictable at the top and (b) the clubs are forced to play too many matches.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will undergo surgery on a fractured metatarsal today as he faces up to missing the start of the new Premier League season.

Newcastle have confirmed midfielder Joey Barton will undergo surgery tomorrow after suffering a fractured metatarsal.

Elton John has splashed out on thousands of pounds' worth of flowers for his dressing room on his forthcoming UK tour.

FORMER Carlisle United boss Roddy Collins last night met with officials of St Joseph’s O’Connell’s Boys with a view to becoming the Dublin GAA club’s manager.

Roddy Collins is to switch codes by becoming manager of the St Joseph's O'Connell Boys Gaelic football team.

Shamrock Rovers’ manager Roddy Collins has accused the eircom League of double standards after League officials refused to register Marc Kenny and Brian Shelley in time for last week’s clash with Cork City.

The Football Association has today announced the England squad for the Four Nations tournament in Cork later this month.

Derry City and Drogheda United are leading the chase for former Northern Ireland Under-21 defender Darren Kelly.