Tributes have been pouring in overnight for Kevin Doyle, who has been forced to retire at the age of 34.

When Martin O’Neill named three uncapped strikers in his latest squad at a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday, almost lost in the discussion about Ireland’s need to locate a cutting edge was the manager’s low key reference to Kevin Doyle “suffering a bit from concussion”.

Kevin Doyle has retired from football following concerns over concussions he has received.

Sean St Ledger might be assured of a permanent place in the records as one of only five Irish players to score at the European Championship finals — even if his header in the 3-1 defeat to Croatia was, in the context of an otherwise miserable Euro 2012 for Ireland, the very definition of a consolation goal.

Kevin Doyle can’t be sure. It has been 10 years, after all.

Seattle Sounders booked a place in the MLS Cup final for the first time in their history after completing a 3-1 play-off victory over the Colorado Rapids.

Steven Gerrard has hinted he is leaving LA Galaxy by claiming he will "miss" the city.

In Ireland’s hour of need, Kevin Doyle is willing and able to help solve their striker crisis tomorrow night when a goal in Vienna might be badly needed.

Colorado Rapids will face the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final.

Robbie Keane is struggling to adjust to his new role as a substitute on the LA Galaxy team, according to his manager.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Robbie Keane has been included in Ireland’s squad of 23 for the European Championship finals despite a calf injury having ruled him out of the match against Belarus at Turner’s Cross.

It’s a striking problem in every sense with which Martin O’Neill has to wrestle ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has confirmed he suffered no lasting damage after undergoing surgery to repair an horrific gash to his leg.

It was Damien Duff, speaking earlier this week in Dublin, who floated the notion of Ireland perhaps ‘doing a Leicester’ at Euro 2016 — at least in terms of narrowing the gap with teams deemed to be their superiors, like group opponents Belgium and Italy.

Sean St Ledger still hasn’t given up hope of an international recall...

The highlights, talking points and gaffes from the football weekend

After earning 61 caps and scoring 14 goals for his country, Kevin Doyle has exceeded his own expectations but still believes he can contribute to the Irish cause in their time of need.

Having upped sticks from Malahide, the Irish squad will get a first taste of their new Dublin base when they step out on Pitch Number One at the National Training Centre in Abbotstown this morning, to begin preparations for the European Championship double-header away to Gibraltar in Faro on Friday and at home to Georgia in the Aviva Stadium on the following Monday.

The LA Galaxy, in third in the MLS table, saw off bottom side Colorado Rapids with a 3-1 comeback win after Marcelo Sarvas had given the hosts the lead.

On the day the LA Galaxy introduced new signing Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane stole the show with a hat-trick in a 4-0 MLS win over Toronto FC.

Paul McShane has been released from Hull City following relegation to the Championship last Sunday.

The traffic lights are green but our taxi driver slams on the brakes in Wolverhampton’s city centre and Tomasz Kuszczak is ready to light up the sleepy Monday morning with some colorful language.

Martin O’Neill is trusting that his players will go the extra mile in keeping themselves sharp and focused in the long post-season run-up to the friendly against England on June 7 and, more crucially, the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on June 13.

Kevin Doyle will have Robbie Keane to thank if a potential lucrative move to Major League Soccer comes to pass. 

Ireland international striker Kevin Doyle was back at Wolves Compton training ground yesterday after a whistle stop trip to America as he ponders the next move in his career.

Last June one year, a Scottish team replete with journeymen pros without a win in any of the six competitive games they had played up until then in their World Cup qualifying campaign, travelled to Zagreb and came away with a 1-0 win against the world’s then fourth-highest ranked side.

Shane O’Neill is expected to end months of speculation over his international future by snubbing the Republic of Ireland in favour of the United States.

Shane O’Neill may be getting used to the bright lights of the MLS in the United States, but it is the golden memories of summers spent in Cork that widen his grin that extra inch.

Robbie Keane netted a second-half hat-trick as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat Real Salt Lake 4-2 and move within four points of the MLS Western Conference leaders.

Hassoun Camara of the Montreal Impact - don't you just love MLS franchise names? - bangs in a bicycle kick. While sitting on his arse.

Cork-born Shane O’Neill was on the scoresheet as the USA warmed up for next week’s U20 World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Portugal in the Algarve last night.

Arsenal have received no contact over a potential takeover and owner Stan Kroenke would have no intention of selling his controlling stake, Press Association Sport understands.

There was a good reason for Shane O’Neill’s decision to politely decline an invitation in January to try his luck with the Republic of Ireland U21 side.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended the achievements of his side in recent years and believes Champions League qualification has as much merit attached to it as winning a domestic cup competition, if not more.

Thierry Henry scored twice as the New York Red Bulls beat the Colorado Rapids 4-1 to earn their first win of the season.

Birmingham City have signed Republic of Ireland striker Caleb Folan and Cian Hughton — son of Blues manager Chris — until the end of the season.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is backing under-fire FA Cup rival Andre Villa-Boas to stamp his own mark on Chelsea and revive their fortunes – if given time to do so.