GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI believes that pressure from Russia has resulted in Ireland having to play their next European Championship qualifier in Andorra’s tiny Communal d’Andorra Stadium.

BIGGER, stronger, cooler on the ball, a young Tipperary side (the bulk of whom are eligible for minor again next year) were too good for Limerick in this Munster MFC quarter-final game in showery Kilmallock last night.

CORK boss Brian Cuthbert has named four players who featured in last year’s All-Ireland MFC decider for Wednesday night’s Munster MFC opening round clash against Clare in Páirc Uí Rinn.

AIDEN MCGEADY and Kevin Kilbane are among the players who won’t be featuring in the Republic of Ireland’s Carling Nations Cup opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday after Giovanni Trapattoni trimmed his squad from 29 to 22 yesterday.

JONATHAN WALTERS’ chances of making his senior debut for Ireland against Norway next week appear to have improved with the news that captain Robbie Keane has been forced to withdraw from the final 25-man squad for the friendly game at the Aviva Stadium.

LAST year’s beaten finalists De La Salle Macroom will contest the knockout stages of this year’s Corn Ui Mhuirí after a facile victory in yesterday’s Group B clash in Rathkeale.

DIEGO MARADONA won’t be in Dublin for Ireland’s glamour friendly with Argentina after the Argentina FA’s executive committee last night opted not to renew his contract.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has made just two changes from the senior Irish side which started against the U23s on Tuesday for this evening’s training game against the Irish Juniors at Gannon Park (5.30pm).

YOU know it is a night for the diehards when a soon-to-be 37-year-old Andrew Cole is the most famous face on show, but Giovanni Trapattoni’s ‘B’ boys did their best to raise their own profiles with a comfortable win over the English visitors.

ANDY KEOGH and Darron Gibson are included in the Republic of Ireland squad to face England in next month’s UEFA Under-21 Euro Qualifier.

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.

THE intimidating atmosphere of Turner’s Cross can help Ireland’s Under-21 side to victory over Portugal in their European Championship qualifier tonight (kick off 7.30pm).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 manager Don Givens has selected a new-look 18-man squad for the friendly International away to Luxembourg, on Wednesday in the Stade Fr Trausch, Mamer.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S 18-year-old midfielder Darron Gibson has received his first call-up to the Irish U21 squad for the UEFA Championship qualifying game away to Greece on August 16.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Steve Staunton will be an interested spectator as the national U21 side contest a four team Madeira tournament.