Ireland won’t be part of the summer World Cup spectacle but there remains some burning issues for the game here in the year ahead.

The Republic of Ireland finished their Uefa U17 Championships Qualifying Round group in pole position after a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Lohja, Finland, yesterday.

Ireland 3 Netherlands 1: The Republic of Ireland U15 side suffered a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in their final fixture of the campaign at Pike Rovers FC in Limerick yesterday.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has introduced an Irish dimension to his vision for the club by personally involving himself in the successful pursuit of 14-year-old Dubliner Glen McAuley.

The fleet of flashy sports cars and SUVs parked adjacent to the lush Carton House sports pitches give the impression Ireland’s Rugby elite are in camp at their training base.

The era of Irish players figuring at the business end of England’s Premier League is long gone but that hasn’t stopped the major clubs hawking these shores for young talent.

BANDON’S dreams of a famous double have been shattered by yesterday’s narrow loss to Dunmurry in the semi-final of the Bulmers Barton Shield at Castlebar. So now, they switch their attentions to the Irish Senior Cup, in which they meet Co Sligo in tomorrow’s semi-finals.