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.

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time this season for the friendly against Norway in Dublin on November 17.

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).

AS an attacking midfielder, James McCarthy is not unlike Stephen Ireland and could give Giovanni Trapattoni the chance to experiment tactically.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for next week’s friendlies against Slovakia in Bratislava — their final preparatory games before the UEFA Championship Elite phase qualifiers in June.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for the UEFA U17 Elite Phase tournament (March 13-18).

IRELAND’S U-19 side were unlucky losers to an impressive Portugal in a friendly at Belfield last night.

TOTTENHAM defender Cian Hughton — son of former Irish and Spurs full-back Chris Hughton — will make his first International appearance of the season tonight when Ireland’s U-19’s host Chile in Athlone (7.30pm).

REPUBLIC of Ireland U15 manager, Vincent Butler yesterday named a 33 strong double squad to take part in this year’s Celtic Tri-Nations in Aberystwyth, Wales.

Brian McFall will make his first start of Antrim's NHL Division 1B campaign when they take on Laois at Portlaoise on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

Barney McAuley of Loughgiel and Cushendall’s Brian Delargy will make their league debuts for Antrim in Sunday’s NHL Division 1B opener against Galway at Casement Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

Netherlands1 Republic of Ireland 0

New Antrim manager Jim McKernan wants retired midfielder Jim Connolly to go back on his decision to quit the inter-county hurling.

Offaly 5-17 Antrim 0-18

It may be just a curtain raiser to the headline act of the Ulster football final replay later today, but there is just as much riding on the Offaly hurlers' relegation semi-final showdown with Antrim at Croke Park (throw-in 2.15pm).

Ulster champions Antrim have made four alterations for tomorrow's (Saturday's) All-Ireland SHC relegation semi-final against Offaly at Croke Park.

In the wake of Dinny Cahill's departure as Antrim hurling manager earlier this week, the Saffrons have a lot to prove in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Laois.

Paudie O'Dwyer and Pat Tobin have been called upon by Limerick for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier clash with Antrim - Limerick's first championship date with the Saffrons since 1996.

KILDARE have been forced to make changes for Sunday’s Leinster SFC clash with Wicklow in Croke Park because of injuries to a number of regular players.

There are three clashes down for decision in today's final round of the National Hurling League relegation section.

Antrim 1-8 Down 1-7