And so it comes to this; QPR chairman Tony Fernandes sits at the poker table in his underpants, carefully placing the keys to his house on the summit of a large pile of chips.

Roy Keane is being linked to a return to management — in Australia’s A League.

New manager Michael O’Neill is relishing the challenge of improving the fortunes of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland supporters’ chief Gary McAllister has called for the Green and White Army to throw their support behind new national boss Michael O’Neill.

New Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill made restoring a sense of pride in the shirt his first objective after agreeing a two-year contract to replace Nigel Worthington.

MICHAEL O’NEILL intends to “restore a sense of belief and pride” in the Northern Ireland national side after being appointed on a two-year contract by the Irish Football Association.

Michael O’Neill intends to “restore a sense of belief and pride” in the Northern Ireland national side after being appointed on a two-year contract by the IFA.

WHILE Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill is set to be named the new manager of Northern Ireland, the post he occupied for the last three years continues to remain vacant at Tallaght amid late complications in the Hoops’ bid to land Stephen Kenny as his successor.

RORY McILROY was named BBC Northern Ireland’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2011 last night.

Michael O’Neill ended his reign as Shamrock Rovers boss last night before outlining his credentials to succeed Nigel Worthington as Northern Ireland manager.

AT THE end of a heartwarming season there was, sadly, nothing but cold comfort for Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on a night when, despite a comfortable 4-0 four-nil win for Spurs, both teams bowed out of the Europa League — and, of more significance for the home side, Michael O’Neill took his own final bow as manager of the Hoops.

Michael O’Neill has declared that he would be “honoured” to fill the vacant position of Northern Ireland coach after his spell as Shamrock Rovers manager came to an end tonight.

MICHAEL O’NEILL’S future as manager of Shamrock Rovers is in doubt amid reports he will leave the club after Thursday night’s Europa League clash at Tallaght Stadium.

BRIAN KERR has dampened speculation linking him to the vacant Northern Ireland role after it was confirmed yesterday he will step down as manager of the Faroe Islands when his contract expires next month.

Former Northern Ireland forward Gerry Armstrong would be prepared to manage his country if the Irish Football Association opt to make a part-time appointment.

NIGEL WORTHINGTON will step down as Northern Ireland manager after tonight’s match against Italy after admitting recent results had left him no option.

Flora Tallinn 0 Shamrock Rovers 0 (Shamrock Rovers win 1-0 on aggregate)

Derry City entertain league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell tonight, kick-off 7.35pm.

FORMER Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton will join Michael O’Neill in the Rovers dugout for the first time since being appointed assistant manager on a temporary basis when Shamrock Rovers visit Derry tonight in the Airtricity League Premier Division (RTÉ 2, 7.35pm).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will have to walk an ages-old European tightrope tonight when they take on ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar of Iceland at Richmond Park in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie (7.45pm).

Philip Ham has had a front row seat for Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town career. He recalls the highs and lows of two tumultuous years dealing with the Corkman.

ROY KEANE’S Ipswich Town adventure appeared to have come to an end last night with the former Ireland skipper on the brink of parting company with the Championship club.

Jon Walters is determined to make the most of his second chance as he contemplates a first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland.

UNTIL recently, all that Jon Walters had in common with Robbie Keane was the vast number of clubs he has played for, although the Tottenham man’s curriculum vitae of Liverpool and Inter Milan is a little more impressive than Chester, Wrexham and Scunthorpe.

ONE YEAR ago today, the Roy Keane whirlwind blew into Ipswich Town targeting promotion to the Premier League in the first season of his two-year contract.

THE consensus of Gooner opinion seemed to be that it was fortunate Glen Johnson put the ball in the back of the Scousers’ net on Sunday. Up until that point, we’d been so impotent up front that it looked as if we could’ve been playing until midnight without troubling Pepe Reina’s goal.

Graeme Souness believes footballers wield such power in the game today that even Alex Ferguson has “to bite his lip” on a daily basis.

QPR manager Jim Magilton has vowed to clear his name after being suspended by the club following a high-profile bust-up with midfielder Akos Buzsaky.

IPSWICH TOWN have denied reports that manager Roy Keane is set to lose his job at Portman Road.

Ipswich has denied reports that manager Roy Keane is set to lose his job at Portman Road.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has described the emotion of returning from injury in last night’s Carling Cup third-round victory over QPR at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 1 QPR 0

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole returned from his long-term knee injury to help defeat QPR and send the Barclays Premier League leaders into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

QPR have signed goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Manchester United on a three-month loan deal.

ROY KEANE is famous for his focus. As a player he claimed he forgot about what he won within seconds of winning it. The target was always the next match, the next season, the next trophy.

IPSWICH TOWN are clearly reaping the rewards of the Roy Keane effect with the Tractor Boys confirming they have already sold more season tickets for 2009/10 than the final tally for last year, with sales approaching the 16,000 mark.

Roy Keane has a new boss after it was announced that David Sheepshanks has stepped down as Ipswich chairman, to be replaced in the role by club owner Marcus Evans.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has hit back at the perceived recent slights of his predecessor Roy Keane by advising the Corkman to focus on his own job at Ipswich.

Incoming manager Roy Keane is ready to write a new chapter in Ipswich's history.

Roy Keane revealed his aim to take Ipswich back into the Premier League in one season as he declared: “It’s good to be back.”

New Ipswich manager Roy Keane has targeted promotion to the Premier League “at the earliest opportunity” after taking over at Portman Road.

Roy Keane was today confirmed as the new manager of Ipswich.

Reports last night suggested former Sunderland boss Roy Keane could be named as Jim Magilton’s replacement as boss of Ipswich before the end of the week, but there was no formal word from Portman Road.

Ipswich have confirmed they have sacked manager Jim Magilton after the club’s failure to make the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.