Once when asked to describe jazz, the famous pianist Thomas Fats Waller replied, “if you don’t know by now, don’t mess with it”. The quote is both sanitised — a four-letter word other than mess was used — and often misattributed (to Louis Armstrong).

Ronan Curtis scored a first half hat-trick as Derry City, record 10-time winners of the competition, beat First Division Shelbourne 7-3 in a thrilling goal-fest last eight tie at the Brandywell to book their place in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup.

Keep calm and carry on.

Cork City can now turn their sights towards Thursday’s big Europa League clash with AEK Larnaca after yesterday’s deserved 1-0 victory over 10-man St Patrick’s Athletic saw them extend their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League to 12 points with two games in hand on second-placed Dundalk.

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood believes Jack Grealish has the potential to become one of the best young talents in the Premier league.

Corkman Conor Hourihane has admitted that life at Barnsley couldn’t have started any better after he was named League One’s player of the month for August.

Cork City manager John Caulfield accepts the departure of Brian Lenihan is more than a probability, but is keen to ensure the club get the best possible deal.

The injury suffered by Cork City’s Brian Lenihan in Friday’s loss to Bohemians is not as serious as first feared.

Walking through the streets of Cork city, Conor Hourihane blends in with the crowd.

Faroe Islands U21 1 Republic of Ireland U21 4

Republic of Ireland U21 coach Noel King has named his squad for the UEFA Championships qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Toftir on August 14.

Republic of Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy has denied responsibility for a pro-IRA message that appeared on his Twitter account in the early hours of Monday morning.

Republic of Ireland U21 head coach Noel King has named his squad for a friendly international against Portugal at Tallaght Stadium on Monday, March 25 (7.30pm).

There was a good reason for Shane O’Neill’s decision to politely decline an invitation in January to try his luck with the Republic of Ireland U21 side.

Rafael Benitez may be in as Chelsea manager but Republic of Ireland starlet Conor Clifford is, for now at least, out of Stamford Bridge.

Republic of Ireland U21 international central defender John Egan is set to miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg while playing for Bradford City against Plymouth on Tuesday.

Huddersfield 1 Bristol City 0

Barnsley 1 Ipswich 1

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

The Carling Cup may be derided in certain quarters but for Dirk Kuyt, a losing finalist in the World Cup and Champions League, his first winners’ medal with Liverpool is special.

Cardiff’s Anthony Gerrard is devastated after missing the crucial penalty.

Republic of Ireland U21 international Conor Clifford has signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2013.

IT will be a childhood friendship lost in the heat of battle, temporarily at least, at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Sligo Rovers’ central defender Jason McGuinness will be eager not to give Shelbourne’s 26-goal striker Philly Hughes a kick — as he hopes to avoid getting one back.

IF they were to get their season back on track, St Pat’s were going to do it against Drogheda — a side they had comfortably beaten twice earlier in the season.

REPUBLIC of Ireland winger Keith Treacy celebrated his Burnley debut by rescuing a point in the Clarets’ 2-2 draw against Watford at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland U-21 team manager Noel King has named his squad for a friendly international against Austria at The Showgrounds, Sligo on Tuesday, August 9 (kick off: 6pm).

FROM the Old Lady of Turin to the Old American Golf Club of Texas, Ronnie O’Brien’s remarkable sporting career has taken another unlikely twist.

The Republic of Ireland U21 side will face Italy, Turkey, Hungary and Liechtenstein in the UEFA U21 European Championship 2013 qualifiers following the draw which was made in Nyon, Switzerland today.

Republic of Ireland U21 head coach Noel King has this evening announced a 19-man squad for the upcoming U21 International friendly against Cyprus which will take place on Wednesday, February 9 at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca (kick-off: 2.30pm, local time).

Turkey U21 1 Republic of Ireland U21 0

RICHIE TOWELL believes a baby-faced Republic of Ireland U21 side can use the final game of a forgettable campaign as something to build on for the future.

ROY KEANE goes into his second season as Ipswich manager targeting at least a place in the top six.

MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Shay Given could make his return from injury in today’s friendly against Club America.

NOEL KING yesterday expressed his delight after his appointment as manager of the Republic of Ireland U21 team.

The Football Association of Ireland has opened applications for the position of Republic of Ireland U21 head coach to replace Don Givens.

IPSWICH TOWN manager Roy Keane has wished former Tractor Boys goalkeeper Shane Supple the best of luck for his career in Gaelic football with Dublin.

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

A DEPLETED Republic of Ireland U21 side were no match for a rampant Armenia in Yerevan yesterday.

Don Givens has announed the Republic of Ireland U21 team to face Georgia U21 tonight.

DON GIVENS believes James McCarthy avoided the same frustrating fate of Liam Miller by opting to join Wigan ahead of more glamorous Premier League names.