FAI Chief Executive John Delaney met with headhunters Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter in Dublin yesterday as the search for a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni kicks into high gear against the background of reports that the Association would ideally like to have the new man installed by November.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is prepared to be patient in his determination to prove he is not a big-money flop at Anfield.

Ian Macintosh and David Shonfield argue both sides of the debate

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is in a no-win situation as his team bid to complete their unbeaten Group Two World Cup qualifying campaign against Cyprus in Dublin on Saturday.