The agencies employed by the government in Saudi Arabia to keep a lookout for people who might be the kingdom’s new best friends in the West will have been delighted this week to see this name popping up on their screens: Britain’s Prince Andrew, also known as the duke of York and un-affectionately as Air Miles Andy, given his taste for global air travel funded by taxpayers.

Rival US and Russian resolutions to extend the mandate of experts trying to determine who was responsible for chemical attacks in Syria have been defeated at a heated Security Council meeting that reflected the deteriorating relations between Washington and Moscow.

Ger McCarthy shares what we learned from Ireland's clash with Denmark…

Northern Ireland celebrated a World Cup qualifying play-off place despite a 1-0 defeat in Norway as Scotland's bid ended in heartache.

Record-breaking Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Armenia on his way to becoming his country's all-time leading scorer.

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”.

Brendan Rodgers claims complacency is not an issue as Celtic prepare to defend their healthy 5-0 Champions League play-off lead in Astana.

Boss Brendan Rodgers claims complacency is not an issue as Celtic prepare to defend their healthy 5-0 Champions League play-off lead in Astana.

Cork could become a major centre for the development of pilots as a global dearth in filling the roles grows over the next decade.

Ireland’s women are on course to progress to the next phase of their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign as they make light work of their opponents at World League 2 in Malaysia.

Cork City’s U19 boss Stephen Bermingham believes his side’s Uefa Youth League success will inspire more young players to remain in the country and play League of Ireland football.

Lunacy, he said. That’s a strong word. An emotive word, writes Brendan O’Brien.

The first medal to change hands at the Rio Games for doping has placed further doubt on weightlifting’s credibility as an Olympic sport.

Michael O’Reilly has been no stranger to controversy in the build-up to the Rio Olympics.

Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes has predicted that Ireland’s boxers will kick on from their exceptional four-medal performance in London four years ago and return from Rio later this year with an even bigger haul.

IDRIS ELBA has earned his first BAFTA television awards nomination. The British actor has been nominated for his performance in the title role of the hit BBC series Luther.

Liverpool have suffered another injury blow after striker Danny Ings was sidelined for six months with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Robin van Persie endured a miserable night scoring an own goal as Holland failed to qualify for the European Championships following a 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic last night.

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has been involved in a spat with former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie during a Holland training session.

Turkey moved a significant step closer to securing a place in the Euro 2016 qualifying play-offs and the elimination of former champions Holland after beating the Czech Republic 2-0.

Apart from the two Irish groups, what else was decided last night?

Holland striker Robin van Persie admitted to feeling terrible after yesterday’s 3-0 Group A defeat to Turkey, but vowed to ensure victory in their final two games.

Wales are poised to end their 58-year wait to play at a major tournament after Gareth Bale’s late winner on a balmy night in Nicosia.

With enough nuclear weapons in existence to destroy humanity several times over, Hans Blix believes there is still an urgent need for agreements to limit their proliferation 

Euro 2016 qualifier round-up          

At one point yesterday, Roy Keane and James McClean stood metres away from each other, dozens of microphones in their faces, and yet neither sounded likely to throw the sort of verbal grenade previously lobbed into the media sphere. Changed times.

Russia and four other ex-Soviet nations have completed the creation of an ambitious new alliance intended to bolster their economic integration.

Ireland’s gold medal magnet Katie Taylor arrived home to a rapturous reception yesterday after winning her fifth World Elite lightweight title in Jeju, South Korea — and she is already targeting further success.

Wales manager Chris Coleman believes Gareth Bale embodies the spirit of a side still unbeaten in Euro 2016 qualifying after the Real Madrid star’s injury-time goal-line clearance in Brussels.

Andrew Trimble has been named The Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at the annual Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards.

Sunderland 1 Everton 1

Succession planning is on Ivan Gazidis’ mind as the Arsenal chief executive admits replacing Arsene Wenger will be a great test for the Gunners.

The Netherlands’ World Cup hangover continues to linger and they remain off the pace in their bid to qualify for Euro 2016, after a 2-0 loss in Iceland.

Robbie Keane is no stranger to headlines, but edging namesake Roy off the back pages yesterday stands up there with the most remarkable of his achievements given he was performing against a side like Gibraltar.

Holland came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 3-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA and get their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign up and running.

Wayne Rooney edged one goal closer to Bobby Charlton’s record as England coasted past the clothes salesman, the factory worker and the bar owner from San Marino with a simple if not spectacular 5-0 win at Wembley.

While it would clearly be ridiculous to make any kind of judgement on Martin O’Neill’s management after one game, tomorrow’s fixture in Tbilisi does offer a curious kind of acid test — and an immediate point of comparison.