Deep into this summer like no other for in-demand Luca Connell, the green of Ireland rather than Celtic constitutes his main attraction.

As Irish football slips further into crisis, U21 boss Noel King insists the public ought to lower their expectations when it comes to how the FAI’s international teams fare.

Irish players have been in UEFA Youth League action for Inter Milan, Spurs, Bayern Munich and Man United this week.

Irish defender Conor Masterson is in line for a call-up to the Liverpool bench for tonight's Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester City.

Republic of Ireland 1 Azerbaijan 0: It took until the last second of the final minute in injury time but U21 defender Shaun Donnellan ensured the good times for Irish underage football continued last night.

John Fallon looks at what Cork City must do to stay on top next season.

Declan Rice admits the desire to resume working with Roy Keane endures but helping Ireland’s U21s break their major finals duck is his immediate objective.

Dave Connell's charges suffered defeat in their opening UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship Elite Round fixture against Scotland, losing 2-1 courtesy of a ninety-fifth minute penalty.

A senior Ireland international has yet to hit the net at Old Trafford this season, but 17-year-old Thomas O’Connor managed it as Southampton caused an FA Youth Cup shock.

Tears welling up in his eyes, Robbie Brady paused to reaffirm Ireland’s tendency of thriving in the face of adversity. It’s hardly surprising the trend has surged since his arrival on the scene given the personal history he’s endured in overcoming the odds.

Liam Brady’s dose of realism amid the current euphoria surrounding the European Championship-bound senior team is a timely reminder of the ticking time bomb for Irish football.

Republic of Ireland women’s U17 manager Dave Connell believes that his side can spring a surprise or two in this week’s elite qualifying round for the Uefa Championships.

How Belgium went from Euro 2000 no-hopers to many people’s outside picks to win the World Cup in Brazil.

Cork City manager John Caulfield is in favour of the club following Shamrock Rovers and fielding a second team in the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League.

As the man who recruited both Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane during his tenure as Sunderland chief executive, Niall Quinn is even surer the fusion of the pair will deliver for Ireland.

Stephen Hunt admits he could leave English football behind as he mulls over an offer to join a German second division club.

Republic of Ireland U19 boss Paul Doolin has expressed disappointment at the FAI’s failed bid to host an elite round game in the European Championship.

John Egan is taking inspiration from clubmate James McClean as he makes his way in international football.

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Noel King has added Ipswich striker Ronan Murray and Carlisle United forward Paddy Madden to his squad for the forthcoming matches against Denmark and Italy.

Following their heroics in the 2-1 victory against Greece in their UEFA Championship finals opener last Wednesday, the Irish U19 team prepare to face Group A opponents, Czech Republic at the Mogosoaia Football Centre in Romania tomorrow at 5pm, Irish time.

THE IRISH U19s avoided the big guns in yesterday’s UEFA finals draw when they were pitted against hosts Romania, Greece and Czech Republic for the showpiece to be contested from July 20-August 1.

IRELAND’s rugby World Cup pool C opponents — Russia — are suffering in the New Zealand heat as they ramp up their preparations for the tournament.

“IT’S about developing players but it’s also about qualifying and hopefully winning things.”

The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that Paul Doolin has been appointed as Head Coach of the Republic of Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 teams with immediate effect.

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.

IRELAND will discover over the next four days whether the gamble to cede home advantage to the United Arab Emirates in the InterContinental Cup round robin will seriously damage their defence of the title.

IT’S JUST as well that Anthony Stokes is a boy who just loves to play football.

The following is the Leinster Schools (U19) squad to face Leicester on Friday, November 4, in Leicester.

Cork City's FAI Cup semi-final clash with Derry City could fall victim to the weather, with parts of the Turner's Cross pitch waterlogged at present.

Cyprus U19 1 Republic of Ireland U19 0

ASTON VILLA boss David O’Leary has been hailed for producing “the best playing season for many years,” by chairman Doug Ellis even though the club announced a loss of more than £10m for the past financial year.

Bray Wanderers coach Tony McGuirk has been confirmed in the role of Republic of Ireland U19 assistant to manager Sean McCaffrey.

Ireland U19s have beaten Scotland by five wickets to qualify for the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2004.

REPUBLIC Of Ireland Under-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named a 24-man squad for the forthcoming European Championship U19 qualifiers in Dublin in two weeks.