The dark hair, the chiselled cheekbones, the lean build — Keith Gillespie could still pass for the kid who wowed ’em on the wing at Old Trafford and St James’ Park back in the day.

Waterford United 1 Longford Town 1

Newly-crowned champions Sligo Rovers have, as expected, dominated the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year with five places but there was no place for any member of EA Sports Cup and Europa League bound Drogheda United in the side.

Two second half goals from substitutes Austin Skelly and Michael Lee ensured Longford Town claimed their second win over Waterford United this season and remain top of the Airtricity First Division.

Supporters at Lissywoollen last night were treated to two magnificent goals in this Midlands derby but it was a scrappy toe-poke from Noel Haverty that gave leaders Longford Town the points.

VETERAN Alan Kirby’s 65th minute strike helped leaders Longford Town to a comfortable three points over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park last night.

ALEX FERGUSON plans to repeat his trick of winning the league with youngsters as he looks to repeat the famed “Class of ‘92”.

SUDDENLY, it has all become crystal clear: Cork City will travel to Tolka Park next Saturday knowing that a win against Shelbourne will deliver the First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division.

SHAMROCK ROVERS moved level on points with Sligo Rovers on top of the Airtricity Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over second from bottom Drogheda United at the Tallaght Stadium yesterday.

IRISH soccer legend John Aldridge will line out with some of the game’s greats for a sports festival which aims to raise funds for a town’s sporting clubs.

CORK CITY marched to the top of the Airtricity First Division following an emphatic victory over Mervue United at a windy Turner’s Cross last night.

First Division roundup

Cork City 1 Longford Town 1

FROM the heights of St James’s Park, Old Trafford and international football, to a midlands derby in the Airtricity First Division, Keith Gillespie has seen soccer at all levels in his interesting career.

THERE was a time, maybe 15 or more years ago, when if you’d imagined Keith Gillespie playing in red and black stripes, the club you’d have had in mind would have been AC Milan.

IN one of the most eye-catching transfer coups in the domestic game for many a season, First Division Longford Town have announced the signing of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie.

FORMER Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie has been declared bankrupt, it was revealed yesterday.

Former Northern Ireland football international Keith Gillespie has been declared bankrupt, it was revealed today.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Keith Gillespie is leaving Glentoran after failing to agree terms.

Bohemians 1 Glentoran 1

Glentoran and Bohemians meet in the opening fixture of this season’s Setanta Sports Cup at The Oval tonight (kick-off 5.30pm).

CORK CITY will begin their defence of the Setanta Cup at home to Cliftonville tonight against the backdrop of ongoing difficulties with wages (Turner’s Cross, 7pm).

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has told Keith Gillespie he could still have a future on the international stage.

Northern Ireland’s most experienced player Keith Gillespie has been omitted from the squad for the World Cup qualifier against San Marino on February 11.

Northern Ireland 4 San Marino 0

Keith Gillespie insists Northern Ireland can recover from a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Slovenia 2 Northern Ireland 0

Northern Ireland pair George McCartney and Keith Gillespie are in line to face the Czech Republic at Windsor Park tomorrow in a World Cup qualifier.

Sunderland defender George McCartney is doubtful for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Wednesday.

Slovakia 2 Northern Ireland 1

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has kept faith in Ryan McGivern for the World Cup qualifiers next month.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington believes David Healy will go about his business as usual even though the striker’s future at Fulham looks uncertain.

Northern Ireland 4 Georgia 1

Northern Ireland 0 Bulgaria 1

THE IRISH Football Association are calling for David Healy to be rewarded by UEFA for breaking Davor Suker’s 12-year record in a European Championship qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington cancelled a scheduled training session this morning in the Gran Canaria sunshine after the gruelling victory against Denmark.

David Healy has spoken of his admiration for Davor Suker after breaking the Croatia legend’s 12-year-old scoring record in a European Championship qualifying campaign.

Two clinical finishes from Eduardo Da Silva helped Arsenal book their place in the last eight of the Carling Cup fourth-round clash with a routine victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington will hand Gareth McAuley and Ivan Sproule their first competitive starts in tonight’s crucial European Championship qualifier.

NORTHERN Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has expressed his “shock” that a player might consider turning his back on international football.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has expressed his “shock” that a player might consider turning his back on international football.

Gareth McAuley is set to kickstart his international career tomorrow with Northern Ireland – just when he thought it was all but over.

Aaron Hughes is convinced Northern Ireland still have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.