For one seen mainly as an understudy, Darren O’Dea has featured in a few big productions on the international stage.

Last Sunday was a proper day of football with, in my opinion, still the biggest fixture in the English league — Liverpool versus Manchester United — and then the champions Man City against Arsenal.

Shay Given has described his international retirement as “the biggest football decision you will ever make” but made clear that, for a combination of reasons, he felt now was the right time to pass on Ireland’s No 1 shirt.

Montecatini last night literally rolled out the green carpet, as Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and the Ireland squad were formally welcomed to this beautiful Tuscan spa town, the reception committee including the Lord Mayor Giuseppi Bellandi and the reigning Miss Italy Stefania Bivone.

Shane Long is determined to win a four-way battle for the right to partner Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane at Euro 2012.

Alex McLeish is not the only manager who should be offering thanks for the return to fitness of Richard Dunne and the continued excellence of Shay Given, after the pair kept the Baggies at bay and bagged an invaluable point in Villa’s battle against relegation.

Shay Given believes his Aston Villa team-mate Richard Dunne will win the battle to be fit for Euro 2012.

Shay Given is confident Richard Dunne will be fit for the European Championship finals amid fears the defender’s recovery from a broken collarbone could yet see him in a race against time to get back on the pitch before the tournament begins in June.

THE latest addition to an already unwanted record, and with it a late stab at football’s Christmas DVD blooper market had unexpected consequences for Richard Dunne.

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy is hoping Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne will not come back to haunt him tomorrow after recommending the defender to Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill.

IT’S only when Sean St Ledger points out that he has yet to play for his country in Croke Park that the astonishing rapidity of his rise from relative obscurity and through the Irish ranks really hits home.

Aston Villa defender James Collins has revealed the determination of his centre-back partner Richard Dunne to show Manchester City what they are missing in tonight’s Barclays Premier League clash at Villa Park.

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy has tipped striker Andy Keogh to take the Barclays Premier League by storm.

IRELAND’S new management team have only just got their feet under the desk in Abbotstown, but already they must be wondering why their presence was demanded in the first place.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you. We’ll be offering a free sports prize to the star contribution each week.

THE Stan ’n’ Dunney mutual appreciation society is up and running.

TO DESCRIBE Ireland’s strapping master of versatility as a jolly green giant might be pushing it a bit but John O’Shea is one of those players for whom a broad grin is never too far away.

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has urged the new-look Richard Dunne to take his chance by earning a recall to the first team.