You heard them before you saw them.

Ireland’s build-up to the Euros starts kicking into high gear today, when the squad gathers at the National Training Centre for their first session of the week ahead of Friday’s friendly against the Netherlands.

There is never any shortage of narratives when the Premier League season begins. 

Robbie Brady is a study in footballing evolution: From winger to wing-back to full-back, but still with a licence to thrill when it comes to whipping in crosses and delivery of the dead ball.

Barring a miracle of epic proportions on Saturday, Ireland’s strong historical connections with Bournemouth will be enhanced in the Premier League next season.

Harry Arter had a premonition he would score against Watford, although it’s doubtful the Bournemouth midfielder could have imagined netting such a stunner in Saturday’s 1-1 Championship draw.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher does not believe it is a foregone conclusion striker Luis Suarez will leave this summer.

The Irish contingent at relegated Reading has been slashed after Royals confirmed yesterday Noel Hunt, Ian Harte and Jay Tabb will not have their contracts renewed.

Everton 3 Reading 1

Everton 3 Reading 1

SATURDAY

Stoke 2 Reading 1

PREMIER LEAGUE: Sunderland v Arsenal

Giovanni Trapattoni has dismissed insulting criticism of him on Twitter from former Ireland international Ian Harte.

Reading 2 Sunderland 1

Reading 2 Sunderland 1

Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Newcastle 1 Reading 2

Reading 3 West Brom 2

Crawley 1 Reading 3

Reading manager Brian McDermott has made seven changes for the Royals’ potentially tricky FA Cup third round trip to Crawley, with Ian Harte appointed captain for the first time.

Tottenham 3 Reading 1

Tottenham 3 Reading 1

Reading 0 Swansea 0

Manchester City 1 Reading 0

Chelsea 4 Reading 2

Chelsea 4 Reading 2

Reading 1 Stoke 1

Ex-Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy says Giovanni Trapattoni is right to be giving youth its fling in Belgrade next month.

Spain may have wowed the world over the last four years with their stylish passing football, but they would not be defending European, or World Cup, champions without [the interventions of keeper Iker Casillas.

Reading 2 Leeds 0

West Ham 2 Reading 4

Gaizka Mendieta is the man who broke Irish hearts at the the 2002 World Cup, his spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out bringing to an end a marathon battle in Suwon, South Korea.

Millwall 1 Reading 2

Chris Hughton saw his remarkable unbeaten Championship record come to an end at the weekend but backed his Birmingham side to bounce back from the 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Reading 3 West Ham 0

MIND your toes while I drop a name there, reader. I once had a good chat with Damien Duff — clang! — about music.

IT is 1998, the summer is on its way, and Mickey Ward is about to play for Mid-Ulster in the opening game of the Milk Cup.

IRISH duo Ian Harte and Noel Hunt missed penalties as Reading crashed to a 2-1 defeat at home to Barnsley in the Championship on Saturday.

DARRON GIBSON has become the latest player to withdraw from an ever-diminishing Ireland squad for Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Skopje, having notified the management team that he will be unavailable with a groin problem.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international Ian Harte is desperate for Reading to avenge his Wembley hurt by beating Cardiff City tonight.

CARDIFF shrugged off the loss of captain Craig Bellamy to gain the upper hand in their npower Championship play-off semi-final with Reading after a tense goalless draw last night.

TOTTENHAM’S Gareth Bale was last night named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.