OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

GORDON STRACHAN last night emerged as a surprise front-runner to succeed Roy Keane as Sunderland began the daunting task of trying to replace the Corkman.

The Premier League’s new owners have been hit by the credit crunch as they attempt to provide their managers with summer transfer kitties.

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane will be handed £25 million (€31m) by his Black Cat bosses to boost his squad for the club’s second season back in the FA Premier League.

WE’VE known him as a midfield enforcer, an up-and-coming manager, a yoga enthusiast and even the inspiration for a long-running stage play but once a year we get to see Roy Keane the comedian as well.

ROY Keane does not believe he is immune from the sacking virus that has swept through the Premier League but has not yet reached the north-east. After all, it happened to Brian Clough, the first great manager to give him a platform.

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane insists he will not lose any sleep over his £35 million summer spending spree.

LIMERICK’S best known Dublin-based fan, Charlie Chawke is in for a mouth-watering mix of soccer and hurling this weekend — and has promised his native team a special trip if they are victorious.

IT WAS said that, back in his playing days with Leeds United, Jack Charlton used to keep a little black book in which were inscribed the names of certain opponents with whom he planned to settle a few scores.