Niall Quinn’s new blueprint for Irish football is in the process of being drafted.

The former Chelsea midfielder and Ireland call-up's ban ended this month.

Declan Rice may have a decision to make on his international future after England boss Gareth Southgate revealed he was monitoring the Ireland U21 midfielder.

Nigeria will battle with Ireland to nail down the international future of Southampton teen striker Michael Obafemi but England also haven’t given up hope of landing the Premier League newcomer.

This week, I chatted briefly with the aunt of an Irish soccer international. As usual, the arm was the opener. “What did you do to the arm?”

He was ‘Pally’ by name but, where Roy Keane was concerned, not always pally by nature.

Players who are even suspected of losing consciousness during a match will have to be removed from the game and not allowed to return, under new rules announced by the English FA.

As the World Cup gets into full swing, Robert Hume throws a spotlight on the Irishman who in 1890 invented the penalty kick — soccer’s most famous rule

FAI chief executive John Delaney last night admitted Ireland’s proposed United States summer tour is in jeopardy.

Ireland’s long-awaited friendly against England in Dublin is now set to be played in May 2015.

Part of the problem with modern international football, and particularly mid-tier nations like Ireland, is that associations rarely get to do things to their own schedule any more. The club game has changed the dynamic.

The dream of Ireland hosting European Championship finals football has moved a step closer withconfirmation from UEFA that Euro 2020 will be a multi-host tournament.

The German Football Association have asked Ryan Babel to explain comments published on his Twitter account in which he criticised referee Thorsten Kinhofer, who sent him off at the weekend.

IT’S down to the English FA to make the final decision on any prospective pre-Euro 2012 friendly with Ireland, according to Giovanni Trapattoni.

The Scottish Football Association have joined the English FA in calling for FIFA to postpone the presidential election.

The Football Association today revealed they were in talks to play the other "home nations", and Ireland, in 2013 but had no interest in reviving the Home International tournament.

THE Football Association of Ireland confirmed they are in talks with the FA about bringing England to the Aviva Stadium — but no date has been set for the showpiece.

Liverpool’s anger with England coach Fabio Capello has gone up a notch after learning captain Steven Gerrard will be out for up to a month as his exertions for country will now impact on his club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could be out for three to four weeks with the hamstring problem sustained on England duty, according to the club’s medical team.

Steven Gerrard will undergo a scan later today to discover the seriousness of the injury which threatens to cause a rift between Liverpool and England manager Fabio Capello.

Winding-up proceedings brought against Cork City FC over a debt of more than €100,000 to the Revenue Commissioners will be struck out next week if the money is paid by Wednesday.

THEY’RE one nil down and time’s nearly up. Cash-strapped broadcaster Setanta needs to find just over €100m to meet its short-term obligations to the Premiership and the English FA.

Middlesbrough striker Mido has blamed the Football Association for the Islamophobic chanting he suffered against Newcastle last weekend.

The FAI are keen to secure an early return for England to Lansdowne Road.

Scotland manager George Burley gave his approval to the 4 Associations Tournament which will involve his team, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in spring 2011.

UEFA president Michel Platini believes last weekend’s sending off of Javier Mascherano was the “right thing” and has backed the Football Association’s clampdown on dissent.

Blackpool have confirmed that no decision has yet been taken by FIFA concerning the transfer saga of winger Wes Hoolahan from Scottish Division One side Livingston.

The Football Association have been charged by UEFA over the “improper behaviour” of England supporters in Croatia.

The League Managers’ Association has urged the Football Association to show confidence in some of the outstanding graduates of their own coaching development schemes by at least considering them as a replacement for Sven-Goran Eriksson.

EAMON DUNPHY yesterday apologised to British journalist Rod Liddle for insulting him on RTE’s Champions League programme on Wednesday night.

As Liverpool await their Champions League fate, the prospect of a nightmare fixture pile-up before the season has even started faces the European Cup winners.

A UEFA executive committee member believes it is too late to change the rules to accommodate holders Liverpool into next season’s Champions League.

The calls for Liverpool to be allowed to defend the Champions League if they win the trophy in Istanbul have received massive support from UEFA’s president and a Liverpool legend.

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has suggested that he had not personally witnessed his Barcelona counterpart Frank Rijkaard enter the referee’s dressing room during the controversial Champions League match at the Nou Camp.

Irish international Clinton Morrison has pleaded guilty to a charge of improper conduct levelled against him by the English FA.

THE Gaelic Players Association and the GAA are on a collision course over the issue of image rights.

Adrian Mutu is hoping to become an “example for youngsters” after vowing to bounce back from his drugs ban.

FIFA will keep a watchful eye on the Adrian Mutu case to ensure the Football Association impose a minimum six-month ban on the Chelsea striker should claims that he has tested positive for cocaine be proven.

Adrian Mutu is heading for talks about his Chelsea future with manager Jose Mourinho today following allegations that he has tested positive for a banned substance.

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has warned FIFA the policy of clubs releasing players for internationals without compensation cannot continue.

THE English FA’s board will today consider the appointment of an independent chairman to head the structural review ordered in the wake of the Faria Alam controversy.