Larry Ryan on what we’ll miss most from Gilesy…   

Favourable economic conditions and an influx of foreign workers boosted employment in Germany to its highest since reunification in 1990, according to data published yesterday as the jobless rate hovers at a historic low.

Ireland’s pensioners are among the happiest and wealthiest in the EU, according to figures released ahead of International Day of Older Persons tomorrow, but those under 65 are among the most at risk of poverty.

Austria said 71 refugees including a baby girl were found dead in an abandoned freezer truck, while Libya recovered the bodies of 82 migrants washed ashore after their overcrowded boat sank on its way to Europe and scores more were feared dead.

All friendly matches are equal but some are more equal than others, writes David Shonfield.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been refused entry into an iconic bar in Belfast as part of his tour of the city today.

It’s unlikely there is an Olympian alive who can’t recall where they were when news filtered through that they had been selected to represent their country, but few can tell as unique a tale as Florence Bell.

The EU has sought to calm fears in countries such as Britain, France, and Germany that they face a mass influx of Romanians and Bulgarians following the lifting of restrictions, a change that risks fuelling anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe.

Science versus faith: a Euro conundrum

The Daily Express newspaper has sparked outrage with today's front page announcing a 'crusade' against Bulgarians and Romanians immigrating to the UK.

Eight leads have emerged that could result in the identification of a four-year-old girl found living on a gypsy camp in Greece.

Bulgaria’s government has resigned after days of violent protests fuelled by outrage over rising energy costs, corruption and a general economic decline.

Israel vowed to strike back at Iran for a brazen daylight bombing that killed eight people on a bus full of tourists in Bulgaria.

Almost €2m in unpaid wages was recovered from employers following a probe by the National Employment Rights Authority last year.

Bulgarians go to the polls today to decide between a member of the ruling centre-right party and a left-wing ex-foreign minister in an election run-off for the presidency of the impoverished, corruption-plagued country.

THE number of Irish boys who are obese has increased by half to almost one in six in just four years despite their being among the most physically active in Europe.

But to suggest that this explains Berlusconi’s political success presents Italians as morons, programmed to vote for him at the flick of a switch.

France said it would alter some of its laws following the storm over the government’s expulsions of Roma gypsies to countries in eastern Europe.

Wales 0 Bulgaria 1

IT would be easy to take offence at being described as a nation of whiskey-swilling, rugby-mad rascals.

FRANCE came under fresh fire for expelling Roma migrants yesterday as the European Parliament demanded it “immediately suspend” removal of the Gypsies.

Skipper Steven Gerrard has called on England to make a statement of intent in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria tomorrow night.

England’s preparations for their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday began with only one fit goalkeeper able to take part in training this morning.

DUNDALK’S European run was ended by a superior Levski Sofia side at Oriel Park last night but the Louth men at least gave as good as they got over the course of the 90 minutes.

THE Irish are the sporting champions of Europe, with one in four saying they take exercise or play sport at least five times a week.

PORTUGAL booked themselves a place in the European play-offs for next year’s World Cup after an easy 4-0 Group One victory over Malta.

LIAM BRADY has made it clear that he is keen to stay on as assistant manager to Giovanni Trapattoni for the next two years but says that the decision will ultimately be up to his employers at Arsenal, where the former Gunner and Irish international heads up the club’s youth academy.

The Republic of Ireland have not given up hope of pipping reigning champions Italy in the race to next summer’s World Cup finals.

BARELY four minutes into Wednesday night’s game between Italy and Bulgaria the Turin crowd was already aware that something had changed.

ITALY made their reservations for the World Cup finals in South Africa last night after a dramatically improved performance against Bulgaria in Turin.

THE REPUBLIC of Ireland might be within touching distance of the top of the Group 8 table after Saturday’s late, late show in Nicosia but, anticipating further twists and turns before the campaign is out, Giovanni Trapattoni declines to rate the team’s chances of qualifying for South Africa at anything higher than 50%.

Giovanni Trapattoni turned his attention to a mouthwatering World Cup clash with his native Italy after seeing Robbie Keane fire the Republic of Ireland to victory in Cyprus.

Derry City 1 CSKA Sofia 1 (CSKA win 2-1 on aggregate)

CSKA Sofia 1 Derry City 0

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne has been told to keep doing what he is doing after being compared favourably to the legendary Paul McGrath.

BULGARIAN manager Stanimir Stoilov admits his side will have to rely on their opponents falling by the wayside if they are to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

IF WE didn’t know better – and if Richard Dunne wasn’t as big as he is – we might dare to suggest that the Manchester City man’s pre-match injection on Saturday night must have been of the performance-enhancing kind.

Giovanni Trapattoni was keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite seeing his Republic of Ireland side take a significant step towards World Cup qualification in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria 1 Republic of Ireland 1

Bulgaria 1 Republic of Ireland 1

SHOULD Giovanni Trapattoni feel the need to give his charges any extra motivation before their crunch World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria tonight, he could do worse than pin the thoughts of Nasko Sirakov on the wall in the dressing room in the Vassil Levksi stadium.

BULGARIA’S difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity — or should that be the other way around?

NOBODY involved in Irish football, and least of all Giovanni Trapattoni, will underestimate the loss of Kevin Doyle for tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria.