Goals from Anthony Pilkington and Joe Mason broke Huddersfield’s resistance on Saturday and lifted Cardiff to second in the Championship.

The advertising partnership that helped to make the Cork Week sailing regatta an international event has ended with the Ford car brand being replaced as the title sponsor by Volvo.

The unexpected death of former Ford Ireland chairman and managing director Eddie Nolan last weekend has sent shockwaves through the motor industry all over Ireland.

Eddie Nolan, one of the best known figures in the Irish motoring industry and the early force behind the Ford Cork Week sailing regatta, died at the weekend.

Ipswich 2 Scunthorpe 0

Scunthorpe 1 Everton 5

Scunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5

RICHIE TOWELL believes a baby-faced Republic of Ireland U21 side can use the final game of a forgettable campaign as something to build on for the future.

Two more Airtricity League players have been drafted into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA European Championship qualifier against Turkey.

THE Republic of Ireland women’s U17 side will make history today when they step onto the world stage in Trinidad to face Brazil in the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s have been forced to make a number of changes to the squad ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA European Championship qualifier against Turkey.

IRELAND’S U21 side suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Switzerland in a UEFA Championships qualifier they could have won in Lugano.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s depart for Switzerland today, with four changes to the squad originally announced for the double-header UEFA European Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland and Turkey.

ANTHONY STOKES was on fire as he gave Noel King a debut to remember as new Republic of Ireland under-21 boss.

Midfielder Keith Andrews has revealed the relief within the Republic of Ireland camp at teenager Shane Duffy’s recovery from a life-threatening injury.

THE plight of Shane Duffy dominated all thoughts at the Irish camp in Malahide yesterday as news of the player’s recovery allowed a shocked squad to regain focus on tomorrow evening’s game against Paraguay at the RDS.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has included six uncapped players in his squad for next week’s friendly internationals against Paraguay and Algeria

KEIREN WESTWOOD will come under more than the usual scrutiny in the coming friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria as concern persists about whether Shay Given will have recovered from his shoulder injury in time for the start of the European Championship qualifiers in September.

Giovanni Trapattoni today announced a list of 23 players who will take part in a summer training camp in Malahide next month, including eight players yet to be capped at senior level.

FIFTEEN months, a dozen games, 21 goals. Yep, it has been one hell of a ride with the biggest thrill saved for last and enough intrigue away from the field to convert even the most ardent of football-phobes.

There is no place for Stephen or Andy Reid in Giovanni Trapattoni's 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying play-off against France in Croke Park on November 14 (8pm kick-off) and in Stade de France on November 18 (kick-off 8pm Irish time).

IF you didn’t see the game, allow us to present a quick synopsis. South Africa enjoyed well over two-thirds of the possession, had umpteen more shots on goal than Ireland and our lads won 1-0.

IT’S a pretty safe bet that, as far as Ireland’s World Cup ambitions are concerned, Giovanni Trapattoni will learn more from tonight’s international in Turin than last night’s in Thomond Park.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni handed some of his fringe players the chance to play themselves into World Cup contention in tonight’s friendly clash with South Africa.

Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged his fringe players to grasp the opportunity to force their way into his World Cup plans.

SOME things you just couldn’t make up. When Ireland went down 5-2 to Cyprus three years ago, Eddie Nolan was on U17 duties in Macedonia, the scene of a previous away day nightmare.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has today named an unchanged squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Cyprus.

NICE TRIP, shame about the match. This week’s roadshow through Tipperary, Limerick and Carlow might have ticked plenty of good PR boxes for the FAI, even if this sort of thing tends to cut little ice with the media.

A 30-YARD screamer right at the death ensured that Ireland versus Australia ended, appropriately enough, with a rugby scoreline but there was nothing grand about the slamming defeat which the Irish footballers endured on their first ever outing at Thomond Park.

THERE are friendlies and there are friendlies – and then there are World Cup dress rehearsals.

DAMIEN DUFF and Stephen Hunt were among some of the bigger names who trained with an unusually lean Irish squad at the home of St Michael’s FC in Tipperary yesterday – lean because some 10 members of the panel for next Wednesday’s game against Australia in Limerick were otherwise engaged with their clubs.

Stephen Ireland appears to have softened his stance on a return to international duty.

Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has named a 24-man squad to face Australia in Thomond Park on Wednesday, August 12.

Giovanni Trapattoni wants to forge a club mentality among his squad to help Ireland qualify for the World Cup next year.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni was impressed with Robbie Keane’s partnership with Leon Best during last night’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Republic of Ireland 1 Nigeria 1

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni handed debuts to five players in his starting XI for the friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni could be forced to call up another goalkeeper after Dean Kiely withdrew from the squad ahead of tonight’s friendly against Nigeria.

TWELVE months ago, Giovanni Trapattoni touched down in London for just his second game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, a largely low-key friendly against Colombia, and duly likened himself to a concert pianist.

Dean Kiely’s Republic of Ireland future looks in serious jeopardy after he left the squad when informed he would not feature in the friendly against Nigeria.

Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger is determined to grab his opportunity against Nigeria and cement a place in Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad.

REPUBLIC of Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli is hopeful of Shay Given being fit for the World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria next week.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI might not agree, but it is easy to understand why Leon Best described his elevation to the Republic of Ireland squad this week as “a blessing”.