Conor Hourihane is long used to the constant comparisons to Roy Keane and he has no hesitation in sharing his fellow Corkman’s view that he had to break the Dublin monopoly to find his way up the Irish ladder.

Emotional, fantastic, amazing. Those were some of the words Wes Hoolahan used as he reflected on his last game as a Norwich player.

Saturday was a landmark day for Paudie O’Connor as the 20-year-old from Limerick made his Leeds United debut in the 1-1 Championship draw at home to Sunderland.

Sean Maguire maintained his blistering form on Saturday, scoring his fourth goal in three games since returning from injury.

Alan Browne ended four months of frustration in front of goal by scoring a superb volley as Preston marched into the fourth round of the FA Cup by hammering Wycombe Wanderers 5-1 on Saturday.

Barry Conlon is a little distracted. His attention drawn to the TV screen, he drifts away for a few seconds, before being coaxed back into conversation.

Leinster are the team to beat, the No. 1 in Europe’s power rankings. And Munster are No. 2, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Darren Norris looks at how the Irish in England got on this weekend.

Hell hath no fury like a player scorned! Last season Aiden McGeady re-ignited his club career during a loan spell at Preston, finishing the season as their player of the year. That form earned him a permanent move to Sunderland in July.

First impressions count and it didn’t take Joe Mason long to make his mark on his Burton Albion debut.

Happy now? Happier certainly, but you don’t want to become one of those people whose mood rises or falls via football, surely? What rancid, festering hell is that?

I’d like to know what the odds were for a 1-0 away win. Probably the same as other teams’ 5-5 draws.

Wes Hoolahan was at his mesmeric best at the weekend, scoring twice as Norwich hammered play-off contenders Reading 7-1.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits it is possible leading scorer Sadio Mane’s season could be over.

Our writers ask the big questions after the weekend’s action...

As is the case in life, timing is everything in sport. And with Martin O’Neill set to name his squad today for the crucial World Cup qualifier with Wales on Friday week, Daryl Horgan could scarcely have picked a better time to produce a virtuoso display.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte is looking forward to focusing on their title push now the transfer window is closed.

In January 2012, John Egan was thrown in at the deep end. He had just joined Crystal Palace on a month’s loan from Sunderland. Dougie Freedman had promised him a couple of games and he was true to his word.

Liverpool’s season is not running out of steam, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.

I think your best bet is to treat Swansea like the local vet. 

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could not hide his exasperation as the row of Joel Matip’s availability overshadowed his preparations for tonight’s clash with Plymouth.

Midfielder Lucas Leiva admits Liverpool’s title challenge could keep him at the club until the end of the season but he is now seriously considering his long-term future.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Jurgen Klopp took full responsibility for his inexperienced Liverpool side's goalless FA Cup draw with Sky Bet League Two high fliers Plymouth and he is unlikely to repeat the experiment this week.

Is this where we begin to stutter? Are those new year swearing resolutions broken already?

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Wes Hoolahan picked up where he left off on Saturday, following up a brilliant display in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova with another superb showing as Norwich beat Rotherham 3-1 to go top of the Championship table.

Aiden McGeady began the latest chapter of his career by scoring on his Preston debut on Saturday but his fine strike from 25 yards wasn’t enough to earn his new employers anything in their Championship clash with Barnsley.

With Robbie Keane expected to retire from international football, Martin O’Neill’s need to unearth a striker who regularly finds the net grows ever more urgent.

It may prove too little, too late but David McGoldrick served a timely reminder to Martin O’Neill after scoring his first goal since August in Ipswich’s 3-2 championship win over MK Dons on Saturday.