In the publicity for the recent film and book I Believe in Miracles, the author Daniel Taylor regularly opted for a certain comparison to help people grasp the scale of Brian Clough’s magnificent achievement with Nottingham Forest in the late ‘70s.

This year’s Blarney in Bloom Summer Garden Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

The first thing about Roy Keane’s latest book is that it’s brilliant. Or since it was Roddy Doyle who ghosted it, and not our old mentor Cormac MacConnell, it’s f**king brilliant, deadly altogether, writes Kieran Shannon.

Roy Keane shares Niall Quinn’s disappointment at Stephen Ireland’s international exile — insisting representing Ireland should rank as the high point of a player’s career.

Martin O’Neill yesterday refused to be drawn on speculation that he is set to run the rule over Spurs striker Harry Kane who, although an England U21 international, is still eligible to play for Ireland through his Galway-born father.

Martin O’Neill has left no room for doubt over who will be calling the shots in his Republic of Ireland partnership with Roy Keane.

Once, when John Hartson was at Celtic, he made the mistake of telling Martin O’Neill to “eff off”.

They may be Ireland’s dream team, but Martin O’Neill has made clear there will only be one man making the decisions.

By Tony Leen, Irish Examiner Sports Editor

Chatting to Packie Bonner this week, ahead of Celtic’s cruel defeat in Barcelona, I was somewhat taken aback when he didn’t hesitate for a second to hail Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time.

Three people have been shot dead during a party at an apartment complex in Auburn, Alabama, police said today.

Richard Hills has announced he will retire from race-riding next month after a career spanning 33 years.

Richard Hills, retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, is to retire from the saddle on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31.

Darren Norris believes Alex Ferguson could become the greatest Champions League manager of all time if he wins tomorrow — a loss and Pep Guardiola rises further up the list

SCIENTISTS have developed a blood test that could help detect cancer years before conventional methods.

FABIO CAPELLO will place his trust in Peter Crouch tonight as England look to take a giant stride towards next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Desperate Zimbabweans are switching to petrol coupons as a currency after hyper-inflation made a mockery of their currency.

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe threatened a state of emergency if businesses profiteer from the country’s economic crisis.

Stephen Kenny has been confirmed as the new Derry City manager at a press conference earlier today.

Stephen Kenny is expected to be named as new Derry City manager at a press conference within the next few minutes.

Stephen Kenny appears set to return to Derry City after a year-long spell with Dunfermline.

John Robertson has been sacked as manager of Derry City.

Nothing but victory will be good enough for Longford Town as they take on Derry City in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Flancare Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United take on Derry City in tonight’s eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Terryland, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derry City entertain UCD in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derry City entertain Cork City in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the Brandywell, kick-off 8.00pm.

Derry City 0 UCD 1

Derry City will be boosted by the return of Pat McCourt to their starting line up as they take on UCD in tonight’s FAI Ford Cup quarter-final clash at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bohemians host Derry City in this evening's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Dalymount, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derry City will be hoping to make home advantage count in tonight’s Champions League first leg qualifier against Armenia’s FC Pyunik at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bray Wanderers entertain Derry City in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the Carlisle Grounds, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derry gave new boss John Robertson the perfect start with a big win at Brandywell.

New boss John Robertson takes control of Derry City for the first time as they take on Sligo Rovers in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.

Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians have joined UCD in the last four of the eircom League Cup following quarter-final victories yesterday evening.

Former Scotland international John Robertson has been confirmed as the new manager of Derry City.

DERRY CITY last night confirmed former Livingston boss John Robertson as the new manager at the Brandywell.

SOME NEW faces ought to be on show when eircom League leaders St Patrick’s Athletic travel to the RSC to play second from bottom Waterford United in the Premier Division tonight.

Former Hearts chairman George Foulkes insists “no-one with any pride” would want to succeed Valdas Ivanauskas as head coach of the Edinburgh club.

Livingston 1 Celtic 4

Paul Hartley made his Celtic debut against Livingston in their Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Almondvale.

STEPHEN KENNY is set to become the new manager of Dunfermline Athletic, according to reports.

Hearts have confirmed head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is in Lithuania for discussions with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.

New Sunderland boss Roy Keane hopes a little of the late Brian Clough’s “genius” has rubbed off on him.

Martin O’Neill has insisted it will “take time” to win back all the Aston Villa supporters disillusioned with recent events at the midlands club.