Had things gone the other way in her sliding doors moment five years ago, Claire O’Riordan might’ve been part of Limerick’s GAA set-up rather than marshalling Ireland’s defence in tonight’s concluding World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland (Tallaght, 5.30pm, live on RTÉ2).

Of all the cities in England, there’s a connection between Liverpool and Ireland that stretches far beyond the players who have represented Everton and Liverpool.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has been impressed by the attitude of Carlos Tevez since the striker’s return for pre-season training.

Dynamo Dresden will be forbidden entry into next season’s DFB-Pokal due to the crowd violence which marred their defeat at Borussia Dortmund on October 25.

The football landscape, like its political counterpart, is changing rapidly in Iraq since the fall of Saddam earlier this year. Erik Kirschbaum reports from Baghdad.