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

DANIEL KEARNS grabbed his first international goal last night against Poland at Tolka Park as Ireland completed their preparations for next month’s UEFA U19 elite qualifiers with a victory.

IRELAND’S Under-19s powered past Poland last night at Tolka Park in the first of this week’s double-header friendlies.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

NEIL WARNOCK’S fractious relationship with the FAI has deteriorated further after he launched an outspoken attack on their treatment of his Crystal Palace winger Sean Scannell.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for next week’s friendlies against Slovakia in Bratislava — their final preparatory games before the UEFA Championship Elite phase qualifiers in June.

SEÁN MCCAFFREY’S Irish U19 side yesterday qualified for the elite qualifying phase of the UEFA Championship’s but they were made to work hard for the victory against a very defensive Liechtenstein team with Chelsea’s Conor Clifford’s strike in the 84th minute proving to be the difference between the two teams.

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for the UEFA U17 Elite Phase tournament (March 13-18).

STEPHEN IRELAND might still be on a self-imposed exile from international football but that hasn’t stopped him being nominated for a Young Player Of the Year gong in the 18th eircom/FAI International Awards, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ in February.

IRELAND’S U-19 side were unlucky losers to an impressive Portugal in a friendly at Belfield last night.

TOTTENHAM defender Cian Hughton — son of former Irish and Spurs full-back Chris Hughton — will make his first International appearance of the season tonight when Ireland’s U-19’s host Chile in Athlone (7.30pm).

REPUBLIC of Ireland U15 manager, Vincent Butler yesterday named a 33 strong double squad to take part in this year’s Celtic Tri-Nations in Aberystwyth, Wales.