A galaxy of global football superstars is being lined up for a special tribute game in Cork later this year for the former Manchester United and Celtic player Liam Miller.

While the people of Cork await the arrival of a royal visitor, one town in the county is set to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the unexpected arrival of another.

Yet again the talk surrounding England as they approach a major tournament is marooned somewhere between hope and hype but Damien Duff has questioned whether Gareth Southgate’s players have the commitment required to make a mark at the World Cup.

Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, and Joe Hart will suffer heartbreak today as England manager Gareth Southgate names his World Cup squad.

It is hard to imagine now, in this era of micro-managed media opportunities, that a generation ago, football reporters could routinely shoot the breeze with leading players, without an agenda, tape recorder, or press officer in sight.

Manchester United suffered a painful low in their Champions League defeat against Sevilla with a tepid performance that failed again to do justice to their attacking heritage.

Most people will have been amazed when they saw the ball hop up just before Cristiano Ronaldo converted his penalty last night.

Pippa O'Connor Ormond has revealed she will feature in an upcoming Hollywood film.

Republic of Ireland international David Meyler was shaking his head in disgust. It wasn’t a stray pass or a wayward shot that had upset the Hull midfielder.

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has confirmed he will attempt to become a professional boxer with the ultimate aim of challenging for a title belt.

Alex Ferguson is to return to the Old Trafford dugout for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick's testimonial this summer.

A four-month-old baby who was snatched from his mother’s arms by the family dog and savaged died as the result of an accident, an inquest in England concluded.

Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein hopes Sam Allardyce does not receive a compensation payment after "hubris" brought about the end of his reign as England manager.

When Roy Hodgson was asked recently to contrast the centre-halves England have brought to France (John Stones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling) with the choice Sven-Goran Eriksson had at World Cup in 2006 (Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher and John Terry), he couldn’t quite bring himself to dispute the gulf in quality.

Manchester United has appointed a wounded animal with a ferocious appetite to prove some people wrong, writes Tony Leen

Reading 3 West Brom 1: Chris Brunt insists he could have been blinded after being hit by a coin thrown from West Brom’s own fans.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, team spirit doesn’t involve sharing tapas with Real Madrid strike partners Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

Rio Ferdinand thinks Manchester United would be taking a risk if they appointed Ryan Giggs as their next manager.

Brian O’Driscoll might have been at the Web Summit to talk technology yesterday but he dedicated some of his time to issuing out words of warning when it comes to social media use.

Former Manchester United ‘keeper Edwin Van Der Sar has backed United manager Louis Van Gaal to restore the famous club to their past glories.

For the Dunph’s “a good player, not a great player”, now read Fergie’s “a great player but not world class”.

What were they doing? Does anyone know?

It’s almost a year now since this column fulfilled a near life-long sporting ambition with a trip to Chicago to see the Bears host the Green Bay Packers at the iconic Soldier Field.

Rio Ferdinand has urged John Stones to think carefully about his future, suggesting he could become a linchpin in Manchester United’s backline instead of a supporting act for Chelsea.

West Ham were left red-faced on Thursday night as their Europa League victory over FC Lusitans was over-shadowed by claims of a lack of respect from new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.

It’s off, in ways we wouldn’t have expected under a manager of Martin O’Neill’s standing.

Rio Ferdinand has branded the valuations placed on young English players “a joke”.

Harry Redknapp appears to be finally catching up with technology after creating a Twitter account.

Rio Ferdinand has described being “overwhelmed” by the support he received from football fans after his wife died.

Manchester United gave Liverpool more than a glimmer of hope in their push for Champions League qualification as Louis van Gaal’s team slipped to a damaging 1-0 defeat to West Brom.

Enner Valencia is a doubt for West Ham’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday due to a cut toe suffered after he stood on a teacup.

The ex-girlfriend of footballer Rio Ferdinand sobbed as she told the British High Court that the hacking of her voicemails had left her feeling “hounded” by the press.

Rio Ferdinand and Mauricio Isla came into the QPR starting line-up as head coach Chris Ramsey took on former club Tottenham.

Hull City 2 QPR 1: Charlie Austin has vented his frustration at QPR captain Joey Barton’s costly sending off against Hull.

Former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand says FIFA and UEFA have “let football down” by failing to eradicate racism.

Premier League