The final day of the Championship brought contrasting emotions for the Irish as the title and the identity of the last two teams to reach the play-offs was decided.

Harry Arter marked his 25th birthday in style by scoring for the fifth successive league game as Bournemouth beat Millwall 2-0 to move four points clear at the top of the Championship.

Goals from Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb gave Mick McCarthy an early Christmas present on Saturday as a 2-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough lifted Ipswich to second in the Championship.

Manchester United suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their long and proud history as MK Dons piled yet more misery on Louis van Gaal.

Darren Potter may be the forgotten man when it comes to the Republic of Ireland set-up, but he is hoping to follow Wes Hoolahan’s example by taking the long road back.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp lambasted his players tonight after an embarrassing FA Cup defeat to third-tier MK Dons that further highlights their need for reinforcements.

QPR 2 MK Dons 4

This weekend we meet up for the game against Greece on Wednesday night at the Aviva Stadium.

MK Dons 0 Sunderland 2

MK Dons 1 QPR

West Brom leapfrogged Newcastle to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after they claimed a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe while Newcastle suffered a 3-0 defeat at Derby.

WHEN Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni names his squad for February’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Monday, he’ll be talking about a number of players suddenly plying their trade in pastures new.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting 11 to face Nottingham Forest in tomorrow evening's challenge match at Dalymount Park.

STEVE FINNAN is an injury worry for Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Cyprus at Croke Park next month after the new Espanyol recruit suffered a thigh strain on Wednesday — ruling him out for at least three weeks.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will run the rule over some of his promising youngsters in the run-up to next month's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

Teenager Sean Scannell admits he has to pinch himself as he waits in hope for a senior international debut.

Robbie Keane and Richard Dunne could go straight into the Republic of Ireland side for Saturday night’s friendly clash with Serbia.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen McPhail has set his sights on a return to the Barclays Premier League after just missing out on FA Cup glory.

Liam Miller is hoping to catch the eye of both club manager Roy Keane and international boss Giovanni Trapattoni as he brings an eventful season to a close.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI is hoping John O’Shea will have cause to celebrate in Moscow tonight, before he joins up with the Irish squad in Dublin ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Serbia.

Ireland’s new generation of potential stars have provided Giovanni Trapattoni with a “beautiful surprise”.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI last night professed himself happy that his message to his players is starting to get through, after Ireland beat non-league Esperanco de Lagos 3-1 in the second and last full training game of their Algarve trip to earn the Italian his first win as boss.

Giovanni Trapattoni tasted victory for the first time as Republic of Ireland boss after telling his players to dream.

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced his squad for the forthcoming training in Portugal and matches against Serbia and Columbia.

Cardiff 2 Wolves 0

REPUBLIC of Ireland B manager Pat Devlin has paid a glowing tribute to Steve Staunton, describing him as a “fantastic professional” who will learn from his bruising experience as Irish manager and has a “great future” in the game.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt has admitted his team have no excuses for their performance against Cyprus on Wednesday night which is likely to cost boss Steve Staunton his job.

Steve Staunton is waiting on the fitness of star midfielder Andy Reid ahead of a match which could decide his Republic of Ireland future against Cyprus at Croke Park tonight.

Revenge is very much on Robbie Keane’s mind as he prepares for tomorrow night’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus at Croke Park in Dublin.

Andy Reid remains an injury worry for Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus tomorrow.

Bobby Robson is convinced Ireland will enjoy a bright future thanks to a number of emerging youngsters.

Ireland captain Robbie Keane is gunning to avenge the most humiliating night in his country’s history.

Kevin Doyle and John O'Shea are set to start tonight's Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany at Croke Park.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton today attempted to fire up his players ahead of the clash with Germany by revealing how they were roundly criticised by a delegation from the country.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is adamant motivation will not be a problem ahead of his side's European Championship showdown with Germany.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has injury worries ahead of the game against Germany but he's not letting that get him down.

The Republic of Ireland squad to face Germany in Cyprus has been announced.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton's woes continue ahead of Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague.

STEPHEN IRELAND has been released from international duty following the death of his grandmother and will not be available for Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

The Ireland team continue their preparations today ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Slovakia.

CLINTON MORRISON admitted last night that his omission from the Republic of Ireland squad has left him bitter.

STEVE STAUNTON believes that Ireland must overcome an historical away phobia if they are to get the results they crave in the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers in Bratislava and Prague.

IRELAND Head Coach Kevin MacDonald last night hailed Ireland’s 4-0 drubbing of Denmark and said that it would give manager Steve Staunton “food for thought” as he ponders his selection for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton welcomed long-term injury absentees Stephen Carr and Andy Reid back into his starting line-up for tonight’s friendly at the NRGi Park in Aarhus.