Darren O’Dea was handed the task of keeping Russia’s dangermen at bay as the Republic of Ireland attempted to re-ignite their Euro 2012 campaign.

Waterford United have confirmed the signing of Liam Kearney from Derry City.

ITALIAN midfielder Alberto Aquilani may have to be patient for a little longer before getting his first start for Liverpool since his £20million summer move from Roma.

ARMAGH football was rocked last night after county senior manager Peter McDonnell brought an end to his two-year tenure in charge.

Wolves have completed the signing of defender Ronald Zubar from Marseille to take their number of pre-season acquisitions to six.

Wingers Armand Traore and John Utaka are leading candidates for a rest as Portsmouth prepare for their Barclays Premier League visit to fellow UEFA Cup contenders Manchester City on Sunday.

Striker Karl Moore has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad ahead of the UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifier against Portugal next Tuesday.

West Brom have confirmed the signing of AZ Alkmaar defender Ryan Donk on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal.

Dutch club Heerenveen have announced the sale of defender Gianni Zuiverloon to West Brom.

Wigan have signed Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder after he was released by Birmingham yesterday.

Birmingham winger Daniel de Ridder admits he may have to consider his future after becoming “frustrated” at his lack of first-team opportunities.

David Beckham has been left out of England manager Fabio Capello’s first squad but Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been included.

THE task of finding a new South Africa rugby coach shifted up a gear yesterday when the first two candidates for the vacant position were interviewed by the country’s rugby bosses.

BIRMINGHAM manager Steve Bruce is the top target for Bolton to replace Sammy Lee.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens today announced his squads for the forthcoming matches against Sweden and England.

Manchester City’s England Under-21 midfielder Michael Johnson has signed a new four-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens today announced an 18-man squad for the friendly against Germany in Furth later this month.

Villarreal left-back Jose Enrique is set to join Newcastle.

Peter Ford is expected to hold onto his position as Galway senior football manager at a meeting of the Galway County Board in Tuam.

Eight men are in line to take over as manager of the Mayo senior footballers, after nominations for John Maughan's successor were revealed.

Czech goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny will fill the void left by Edwin van der Sar’s departure for Manchester United after completing his move to Fulham today.

ISRAEL manager Avraham Grant has claimed it will be an unfamiliar Israel team that Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland will face on Saturday week.

The Irish under-21s will have their first competitive outings this season when they take on two French regional selections in Paris.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie may have seemingly disappeared without trace since his summer signing – but he insists he is happy to wait for his first-team chance.

Leeds’ Coca-Cola Championship clash with Watford at Elland Road next Tuesday has been postponed because of international call-ups.

Injury-hit Waterford United have been dealt another blow following the latest round of suspensions issued by the eircom League.

Scotland will face a new-look Australia side in Sunday’s first Test after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones awarded Clyde Rathbone and Radike Samo their international debuts.

ARSENAL’S new £3 million signing, Robin van Persie, has vowed to learn all he can from compatriot Dennis Bergkamp if the two Dutchmen are allowed to link up at Highbury next season.

Arsenal’s new signing, Robin van Persie, has vowed to learn all he can from compatriot Dennis Bergkamp if the two Dutchmen are allowed to link up at Highbury next season.

Lawrie Sanchez has told Northern Ireland's bright young things to keep knocking on his door.

Don Givens has been handed a new two-year contract as manager of the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott retains his place in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for next week’s European Championship qualifier against Russia.

Australia Test player Chris McKenna is set to play for Ireland in the European Nations Cup at the end of the season.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s are facing a rap from UEFA after fielding an ineligible player in Friday’s 2-1 win over Albania.

Scotland Under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof told Celtic supporters tonight not to expect too much of Shaun Maloney if he comes into the side to replace broken jaw victim Henrik Larsson.Scotland Under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof told Celtic supporters tonight not to expect too much of Shaun Maloney if he comes into the side to replace broken jaw victim Henrik Larsson.

Nottingham Forest duo Andy Reid and John Thompson have both pulled out of Don Given's Under-21 squad.

Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 0

Bill George,

Russia midfielder Egor Titov has all the attributes of a potential World Cup superstar.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was today assessing the extent of his latest setback as the England injury jinx struck yet again to sideline Danny Murphy.

Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands’ stop-start Ibrox career was back on hold today after he was injured in the Old Firm reserve derby.

A breach of curfew imposed by the Irish Under-21 management team last weekend has cost Richie Foran of Shelbourne dearly.

Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for the matches against Portugal and Estonia next month.

Gareth Barry is confident he will have agreed a new five-year contract with Aston Villa by the end of the week.