It became a recurrent theme, on John Delaney visits to 2,000 clubs during his 14 years as FAI chief executive, to conclude by reciting the salutary advice of his mother Joan about always bringing something for his hosts.

England full-back Lucy Bronze has defended her team’s penalty taking after they once again had a spot-kick saved, this time in their Women’s World Cup semi-final loss to the United States.

Phil Neville's England have won their Women's World Cup quarter-final against Norway to set up a semi-final against either the hosts France or the current world champions USA.

Former Liverpool player Ray Houghton has changed his mind on his old club’s participation in both the Champions League and the Premier League this season.

Former Republic of Ireland Ray Houghton says the Declan Rice furor is “now part of Ireland’s history” and believes the team should be looking forward.

Comedians tend to worry a lot about the ‘too soon’ moment, that minefield of a border between the darkly funny and the wincingly crass.

Grotesque abuse hurled at Cyrus Christie online came to the fore this week, the latest example of how football, and sport in general, continues to battle the scourge of racism.

For all the superlatives rightly thrown in the direction of Joe Schmidt’s team the past couple of days, one aspect of Soldier Field has probably still not been fully appreciated.

A lorry driver in England who killed a woman and three children by ploughing into their stationary car while scrolling through music on his mobile phone has been jailed for 10 years.

Postpone that chat with the credit union, cancel the milk, pass on the regards to the lads at work. We may be here a while yet.

The Republic of Ireland travels to France this week with a squad of 23 players who will be looking to make history and take Ireland out of the group stage for the first time in the Euros.

Health apps might help scientists learn new truths about our bodies because we’re more honest with our phones than our doctors, says Jenna Wortham.

Outgoing Fifa president Sepp Blatter hailed an “inspiring” England performance as Mark Sampson’s side finished third in the Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Music-loving soccer commentator George Hamilton has made a second career as a presenter of the Hamilton Scores on RTE Lyric FM. And in a way, he regards commentary a bit like a good jazz performance.

Martin O’Neill must take the shackles off the Republic of Ireland and let them play without fear if they have any hope of qualifying for next summer’s European Championships.

No-one is bigger than the club. It’s a line we hear multiple times every season, even in this post-Bosman era of player power and multi-million pound contracts. It is a line we heard time and again when Roy Keane parted ways with Alex Ferguson and Manchester United back in 2005.

We've compiled a list of the best non-Irish born Irish internationals not in the current squad.

Reality television star Chantelle Houghton has failed in a bid to force a magazine to reveal the source of a story it planned to publish.

Your daily, spoiler-free guide to what to look out for on the box.

'Great British Bake Off' star Mary Berry has said that she does not want to live beyond 90 and that she would like her children to be able to “give me a pill” if her health deteriorated and she became a “burden”.

Irish commentator returns early from World Cup

For fans over a certain age following a World Cup, you’re never really watching just that World Cup.

Instead of hiding behind America’s military shield, Europe needs to spend on arms to protect its security interests, according to Nick Witney.

It’s 20 years since Ray Houghton’s goal saw Ireland shock Italy at the World Cup

Tony Leen was at Anfield 25 years ago tonight for the most remarkable league triumph in football history.

FAI ambassador and former Irish international Ray Houghton has said it’s up to people involved in Irish football to make the local game more attractive to fans.

Melanie Houghton was in impressive form yesterday when she broke the Irish 50m butterfly record at the National Long Course Championships in Dublin yesterday.

It hardly carried the glamour or gravitas of an induction into Cooperstown or Springfield, it wasn’t like there was a Larry Bird to welcome his Magic Johnson into this particular Hall of Fame, but there was something particularly pleasing about seeing Ronnie Whelan being honoured at the FAI International Awards on Sunday.

Alan Hansen suggested this week that tonight’s Merseyside derby at Anfield is the biggest in the league in almost 30 years.

Ray Houghton insists Roy Keane is not expecting equal billing alongside Martin O’Neill when the duo take charge of the Republic of Ireland.

Ray Houghton has confessed he was surprised at the 'unbelievable' enthusiasm of Roy Keane for the assistant management job.

FAI headhunter Ray Houghton insists Roy Keane can overcome some of his managerial failings under the tutelage of Ireland’s incoming boss Martin O’Neill.

... but McCarthy remains in running for Ireland return

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney met with headhunters Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter in Dublin yesterday as the search for a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni kicks into high gear against the background of reports that the Association would ideally like to have the new man installed by November.

For 25 years, there has been a question that Ronnie Whelan has always meant to ask Tony Galvin.

THE inventor of television, John Logie Baird, was born in Helensburgh near Glasgow 125 years ago today. His invention was arguably the single most important of the past 100 years.

Our columnist reflects on a memorable start to Ireland’s hectic end-of-season finale.

Ray Houghton has welcomed the decision of LA Galaxy to allow Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane to join up with the national squad in time for the prestige friendly against England at Wembley next Wednesday.

Ireland Schools 2 England Schools 2

Chantelle Houghton has revealed she is “devastated” about former fiancé Alex Reid's tell-all interview.

Alex Reid thinks he and Chantelle Houghton need "professional help" to make their relationship work.

Alex Reid has been released without charge by police after he was arrested in connection with a disturbance involving his girlfriend, former Big Brother star Chantelle Houghton.