As the recessionary ‘80s gave way to the Celtic Tiger era, Irish consumers began to spend again and Ford, retaining its Cork links, launched a raft of models which became industry leaders.

Arsene Wenger is planning for next season as manager of Arsenal and believes uncertainty over his future should not affect his current squad or potential new recruits.

Former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy endured a disappointing 25th anniversary in management, as his Ipswich side were comfortably beaten 3-1 at Cardiff City on Saturday and he admitted afterwards that the Blues are in a Championship relegation scrap.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has become an easy target for referees, Arsene Wenger believes, insisting the player’s tough-tackling reputation now precedes him.

Arsenal 5 Lincoln 0: The fall-out from that numbing 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League was so great that Arsene Wenger had to watch a video of the game three times just to come to terms with what he had seen.

On the Saturday, Lincoln City became the first non-league club in 103 years to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. 20,000 people. Turf Moor. Premier League opposition.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has suggested Erik Lamela may not play again this season.

Another protest by Arsenal fans who want to see Arsene Wenger replaced has been scheduled - with the manager admitting the opinion of supporters will have a bearing on whether he stays.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits winning was all that mattered as Arsenal overcame non-league Sutton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

FA Cup fifth round

Petr Cech admits Arsenal suffered a “huge setback” ahead of their crunch meeting with Chelsea as Watford left the Emirates Stadium with all three points on Tuesday night.

And we still have Southampton v Arsenal to come….

Perhaps not with a bang, but the Flat was back in Britain this weekend and it was Godolphin who were smiling at Doncaster as Secret Brief claimed the Betway Lincoln.

A Galway man has won €421,587.08 from Paddy Power bookmaker when all 20 selections on his €5 accumulator came in on Stephen’s Day.

A former Premier League footballer has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

Regulation will look to get a running start upon his return to domestic action in the www.thetote.com Irish Lincolnshire on the opening day of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh on Sunday.

Mansfield winger Louis Briscoe insists all the pressure is on Liverpool ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash.

Lincoln or Mansfield Town’s FA Cup third-round meeting with Liverpool is one of five matches selected to be televised.

Manchester United have been given a tough draw for the third round of the FA Cup.

Penitent rewarded the decision of his connections to bypass the Lincoln by gaining Listed glory at Doncaster 24 hours later.

Birmingham City have signed Republic of Ireland striker Caleb Folan and Cian Hughton — son of Blues manager Chris — until the end of the season.

MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool will meet in the third round of this season’s FA Cup after the bitter rivals was pitted against each other in last night’s draw.

English Football League clubs paid out £12.7m (€15.4m) in agents’ fees last season – a rise of £3.9m (€4.7m) from the previous year.

European Union regulators have given Chinese manufacturer Geely the go-ahead to buy Sweden’s Volvo Cars.

CHRIS NEWTON, one of Britain’s most decorated cyclists, has a treasure chest of Olympic and world championship medals but would still love to add his name to the list of FBD Insurance Rás legends who have won the title three times or more.

Striker Terry Dixon has been named in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad to take on Armenia in the Tallaght Stadium on March 3.

Aston Villa’s teenage defender Nathan Baker has been banned from attending the Carling Cup final after trying to sell tickets for the February 28 clash with Manchester United on Facebook.

Chris Evans has quit as assistant boss at Bolton after rejecting the prospect of working under new manager Owen Coyle.

PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant admits it is becoming tough for his players to ignore the cash-strapped club’s off-the-field issues.

Bolton 4 Lincoln 0

Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann is pushing for a place in the starting line-up in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie against Lincoln at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton caretaker manager Chris Evans has ruled out applying for the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside will begin the task of identifying a new manager today with former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga emerging as a surprise candidate.

Gary Megson has finally been booted out of Bolton – the only surprise being he lasted as long as he did.

Gary Megson has been relieved of his duties as Bolton manager with immediate effect, the club confirmed today.

The cold snap continued to bite in the UK this afternoon as a raft of sporting fixtures fell prey to the sub-zero conditions sweeping the country.

Blizzards and plummeting temperatures across the UK have already claimed a number of the weekend’s sporting fixtures with more set to follow later in the day.

JERMAIN DEFOE revealed how a last-minute change of footwear helped inspire the five-star display which propelled Tottenham back into the Premier League top four.

DEAN KIELY insists he has not quit international football with Ireland and has claimed Giovanni Trapattoni broke an understanding that he would not be called up just to sit on the bench.