All eyes will be on James McCarthy when, if all goes according to plan, the Everton midfielder joins the rest of the Irish squad for training at Turner’s Cross today.

Ireland’s build-up to the Euros starts kicking into high gear today, when the squad gathers at the National Training Centre for their first session of the week ahead of Friday’s friendly against the Netherlands.

Andy Keogh has admitted that he was angry at missing out on Euro 2012 but says the experience has only reinforced his determination to make it to Brazil 2014 as part of the Irish squad.

The press conference room in the bowels of the Aviva Stadium has housed many a pantomime moment over its short life, but never was there a chance of Joachim Loew adding to the theatrics.

Earlier this week, I had an operation to reset a broken nose I picked up in a recent game — not the first time that’s happened to me, I can assure you — and, as well as that, my Achilles has been acting up a bit recently.

One of the country’s best-known publicans, Charlie Chawke, yesterday blamed the Irish soccer team’s “pathetic” performance against Croatia for the Euros being a flop for his pub business.

In 19 World Cups, there’s never been a shock winner. By contrast, the Euros have seen three in 13. This is a competition where miracles can happen, says Miguel Delaney

Italian Interior Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri has told the national team to go to Euro 2012 and play with pride after coach Cesare Prandelli said he would have “no problem” if the authorities would rather his team withdraw from the competition due to the match-fixing scandal.

When Giovanni Trapattoni stole a long march on his Euro 2012 rivals by naming his squad as early as May 7, it seemed like a powerful statement of intent and a resounding expression of confidence, both in his players and in the certainty of his own decision-making.

For Irish football, this is the calm before the storm.

Sean St Ledger has dismissed reports he is due for the exit door at Leicester City and is intent on proving his worth to manager Nigel Pearson at next month’s European Championships with Ireland.

France coach Laurent Blanc insists he has no intention of quitting his role after Euro 2012 despite being linked with some of Europe’s top club sides.

Mary Cullen won has a bronze medal in the final of the 3000m at the European Indoor Championships in Turin today.

MARRIAGE may be in the offing for Raymond Domenech, but his divorce from France’s national team should be finalised in the coming weeks after their abject showing at Euro 2008.

Charlie Mulqueen walked all 17 holes of yesterday's Ryder Cup fourball between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and Pádraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie.