An appeal was made at a League Two football match in England by police investigating a suspected hammer attack on a teenage girl at a property possibly linked to prostitution.

After sealing his long-term future, Michael Harriman would love nothing better than to crown the week by scalping strugglers Aston Villa in today’s FA Cup third round tie.

So what’s the story with Martin O’Neill and the number 31?

“The incident occurred after his dismissal in the 85th minute of a game on September 5, 2015.“

Martin O’Neill might have been presiding over the launch of the FAI’s popular Summer Soccer Schools for 2015 at the Aviva Stadium yesterday but he left nobody in any doubt that, in his role at the very top of the Irish football tree, there’s no percentage in treating players like little kids.

It has been an international period dominated by his assistant Roy Keane, but Martin O’Neill was entitled to the final word last night.

Phil Jones admits Manchester United are still learning Louis van Gaal’s new system but the defender believes their 100% record in pre-season shows they are ready for the new Premier League campaign to start.

Ireland U21 manager Noel King has cited his squad’s stellar away form as reason to be confident heading into today’s Uefa Championship qualifier in Montenegro (5pm).

UEFA U21 CHAMPIONSHIP

Having played under the new manager and played alongside his assistant, the former Manchester United and Ireland defender Brian Carey needs no convincing of the merits of the Martin O’Neill-Roy Keane ticket.

So it's official. Two men from opposite ends of Ireland have been tasked with working together to deliver Irish soccer to new heights. In this article Kieran Shannon asks if the Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane combination is destined for success.

As Ireland make the final preparations for their first game of the Euro 2016 campaign, keen to set the right tone, the team are likely to hear something like this.

Three points against Romania in today’s Uefa Championship U21 qualifier is the birthday present of choice for Ireland winger Sean Murray.

NORWICH suffered a stunning 4-0 home defeat at the hands of npower League One leaders MK Dons as the three newly-promoted Premier League clubs exited the Carling Cup at the second-round stage last night.

A man was arrested today in connection with an alleged assault on former Celtic captain Neil Lennon.

Tony Adams admits he has “not even thought about his future” with Portsmouth despite the fact his contract as assistant manager at Fratton Park runs out in the summer.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has been hailed by Wasps coach Shaun Edwards as a “shining example” and one of the greatest captains in rugby history.

Julio Arca saved Middlesbrough from the grisly prospect of spending Christmas Day in the Barclays Premiership drop zone as his second-half strike sunk Charlton at the Riverside Stadium.

PROVIDED the proposed €670m Maktoum takeover goes through, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez should have the pick of the world’s available players in next month’s transfer window.

CORK City and Derry City may have topped the league but they have been forced to play second fiddle to UCD in the 2005 eircom league Premier Division Fair Play table.

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is today being awarded an honorary degree by the university where he studied more than 30 years ago.

Aston Villa striker Luke Moore has signed a new three-year contract with the midlands club.

SOUTH Africa completed a fairytale start for coach Jake White as they took the Tri-Nations title with a 23-19 victory over Australia in Durban.

Portsmouth may switch their attention to Blackburn’s Dwight Yorke in their bid to sign a new striker after pulling out, on medical grounds, from a move for Preston North End’s Ricardo Fuller.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill modestly attributed his OBE to staff at the Parkhead club.

WHEN Arsene Wenger became Arsenal coach in summer 1996, the first thing he did was sign two midfield players.

Promising young striker Craig Beattie has committed his future to Celtic after signing a three-year deal this afternoon.

Brentford are top of Division Two after today's Nationwide League matches while Rushden & Diamonds top Division Three.

Wasps 33 Connacht 27

Sean Davis has urged his team-mates to bury their chances in the third round replay with Wycombe Wanderers at Craven Cottage.

Emile Heskey is set to lead Liverpool’s defence of the FA Cup against Birmingham tomorrow despite a goal drought which is threatening his starting place.

Bohremians have won their pre-season friendly against Wycombe Wanderers by a one-goal margin.

Half-time score, pre-season friendly

A major transport operation was under way today to prevent traffic problems as thousands of football fans travelled to FA Cup semi-final matches.

The 10 reasons why Celtic are this season’s outstanding Scottish side.

Punters are expected to indulge in a betting frenzy this weekend with £100 million riding on the outcome of the Grand National and other sporting events.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier wants Uefa Cup rivals Porto to be overpowered by a wall of noise.

The Football Association is asking British Airways to lay on extra flights so fans could get to the all-London FA Cup semi-final in Manchester.

Wycombe Wanderers are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup by netting a winner at the death at Filbert Street.

Terry Burton maintains Wimbledon must not let their FA Cup exploits distract

West Ham take on Tottenham in an all-London derby clash in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.