One of the attributes which made Kevin Doyle such an effective striker throughout his career – the Wexford man’s renowned spring heel leap and powerful heading ability – will now be in the spotlight for very different reasons after the Ireland international cited concussion and headaches caused by heading the ball as the reasons for his enforced retirement at the age of 34.

Tributes have been pouring in overnight for Kevin Doyle, who has been forced to retire at the age of 34.

David Villa is not only loving life with Patrick Vieira's New York City FC but his outstanding Major League Soccer form has earned a dream Spain recall at the age of 35.

Kieran Marmion is not about to argue he is a viable alternative to Conor Murray for the Ireland number nine jersey. Not yet at least.

Maybe it’s just as well the League of Ireland top brass have yet to ratify the branding report unveiled yesterday as the elements contained ranged from the impractical to the ridiculous.

Even as England flop at another tournament, nobody can question the might and reach of its Premier League. But is the league’s global dominance healthy? Is the MLS is better equipped to live in its shadow than the League of Ireland?

Brendan Rodgers insists he has not taken a step down in his career by becoming the new Celtic boss.

David and Victoria Beckham made £61,644 (€84,320) a day in profits in 2014, new figures show. The pair raised £22.5m from their combined business ventures.

Chelsea 3 Sunderland 1: Guus Hiddink will begin work at Chelsea’s plush Surrey training ground this morning with one of the biggest clubs in world football and an equally huge task in turning around their fortunes.

The Las Vegas news cycle doesn’t roll around quite like the rest of the United States. Even a brief few minutes stuck sitting in an airport terminal stateside, with just a TV locked on a 24-hour news network for company, can shred the soul. CNN, FOX, MSNBC, choose your poison.

Sean St Ledger still hasn’t given up hope of an international recall...

Any of you mathematicians out there fancy decoding this little baby? (Deep breath): 0000011003210002002054031002651206140004.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill designated it the “tie of the round” yesterday after he helped pair Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic in the draw for the Third Round of the FAI Cup.

Martin O’Neill’s task has been put into perspective by two new magazine lists, writes Liam Mackey.

At the very least, there’s absolutely no doubting Ireland’s spirit. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a fair few doubts about this team, however, and their ability to qualify for Euro 2016. 

Tim Cahill is looking forward to a new challenge in China, despite revealing he was in contact with both Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and ex-manager David Moyes on deadline day.

Daryl Murphy’s importance to the Ipswich cause was brought into sharp focus at the weekend.

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana’s return to training ahead of schedule has given manager Brendan Rodgers a boost as he heads into a potentially season-defining month.

Frank Lampard has sought to draw a line under the controversy regarding his extended stay at Manchester City and insisted he will join New York City FC in the summer.

Although we think they may be over-estimating the friendship between the Liverpool captain and our own Robbie Keane.

Robbie Keane claims even the best artificial surfaces in the world reduce the quality of football by 30% but doesn’t foresee the Major Soccer League resolving the problem.

Manchester City's deal to keep Frank Lampard until the end of the season has been condemned by supporters of New York City FC, their sister club in Major League Soccer who must now wait until mid-season to see their marquee signing.

Manchester City could face Christmas without any senior strikers and their captain following a costly 1-0 victory at Leicester.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has made clear he wants to prolong Frank Lampard’s loan and hopes a decision can be made soon.

It’s always been the case with Robbie Keane that, even after he’d blown Ireland’s goal scoring record to smithereens, there have been critics only too happy to accentuate the negatives of his career.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Thierry Henry will “certainly” return to the club in some capacity in the future.

Robbie Keane will aim to secure his third MLS Cup in four years on Sunday but that hasn’t stopped him laying into the stateside league.

Republic of Ireland Women’s team striker Stephanie Roche has been shortlisted alongside some of the biggest names in world football for the FIFA Goal of the Year award.

It’s not clear yet what Thierry Henry is planning to do next season but there’s plenty life in the old dog, suggests John Riordan.

Tomorrow is Pele’s birthday — or maybe it was yesterday. Depends on where you fact check.

Champions League Group E

Colin Falvey used to scrape by on meagre wages at Cobh Ramblers. Now, he is being paid to stop World Cup winners like Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.

A small, brown-skinned, wise-cracking guy in his mid-20s from Michigan, his name was Alex, and he kept the passengers on the funicular going up to Rio’s Christ The Redeemer statue royally entertained with stories of his adventures as one of the thousands of USA supporters who’d made the trip to Brazil for the World Cup.

An Irish student invaded the pitch after a recent Man United game – and got taken down hard.

Frank Lampard revealed he plans to visit the memorial dedicated to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks after sealing his move to MLS side New York City FC.

Frank Lampard’s proposed move to New York City FC has prompted one paper to bring up a decade-old insult to US citizens.

Frank Lampard looks set to complete his move to New York City FC next week.

Hard to believe, but it’s 25 years since David Elleray, the Harrow headmaster who spent his Saturdays admonishing a very different class of brat, was wired for sound for ITV’s World In Action programme on a First Division game between Millwall and Arsenal at the old Den.