From Dublin to Delhi, from Arsenal to Shamrock Rovers and from player to coach, former international John Devine is bringing a wealth of experience to bear on a plan to save Irish football.

When former Ireland and Arsenal full-back John Devine recently addressed a press conference in Dublin he was joined at the top table by Eamon Dunphy and John Giles, the presence of the big beasts ensuring a healthy media turn-out and plenty of coverage in print and on the airwaves the following day.

The growing belief Martin O’Neill is tempted by the lure of a return to club football is reflected in the latest comments on the Irish managerial succession stakes by three well-known personalities in the game.

EVAN Shine was the hero with a late winner for the Dublin District Soccer League, who clinched their seventh successive SFAI Umbro Kennedy Cup crown at Limerick University yesterday in the final against South Dublin.