As he serenaded his new team-mates with an initiation song after dinner last night, uncapped Ireland midfielder Eunan O’Kane could understand how the choice of ‘The Gambler’ by Kenny Rogers has resonance to his career.

From Wexford hurlers’ adoption of Kenny Rogers’ "The Gambler" to the Kerry camp’s penchant for upbeat dance music last year, music is as welcome in inter-county dressing rooms and team coaches as it was when each Tyrone player was asked to contribute one song to a team CD in the early 2000s. But what if there were tunes inspired by them? Here we provide our own alternative.

IT’S been one of those roller-coaster weeks with its randomly shot milieu of great achievements, bad luck, giddy frustrations, and little accidents.

One of the most important meetings of my year took place earlier this week in the front seat of the car, writes Michael Moynihan.

I always knew I’d be a singer.

Check out our spoiler­free guide to the best of tonight's TV.

Anxious to keep their jobs, men aged 35 to 50 are using Botox to banish their wrinkles, brow lines and so-called crows’ feet. Others are resorting to surgery to look toned, youthful and less stressed, says Áilín Quinlan.

Diana Ross is in talks to perform at Glastonbury next year.

Glastonbury Festival could have a Supreme line-up next year as Diana Ross is reportedly in talks to play a headline slot.

Welcome to your Monday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Kenny Rogers probably put it best in one of his early songs. Before The Gambler, I mean. In the sixties one of his better efforts began with this line: I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.

THE voice down the phone from Houston, Texas, is as familiar as a favourite uncle, an easy drawl heard countless times over the airwaves singing any of his multitude of hits.

The return of Glastonbury Festival after a year off feels like “a big family reunion”, according to organiser Emily Eavis.

The Rolling Stones were finally confirmed as headliners for this summer’s Glastonbury Festival after months of rumours, with Mumford & Sons and Arctic Monkeys.

A pair of Irish teen country and western sensations are to travel to the US in February to appear on a top chat show there.

The entertainment world has led tributes to Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, after the “musical giant” lost a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 62.

The entertainment world has led tributes to Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb after the “musical giant” lost a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 62.

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb died today following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb died last night of cancer at the age of 62.

WITH Oxegen tickets going on sale yesterday, a look down the concert listings for the coming months shows we are set for a scorching hot summer of rock and roll.

ONCE proclaimed the world’s loudest rock band, Deep Purple are set to kick up a right din in Cork following the announcement that they are to play Live at the Marquee on June 30 next.

Kenny Rogers regrets resorting to plastic surgery in a bid to stay young - insisting the invasive procedures took the "warmth" out of his eyes.

England prop Matt Stevens has released his own version of team anthem ’The Gambler’ ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup final against South Africa.

IF THE curious saga of Bertie Ahern’s purchase of his Drumcondra home were a children’s story it would be called The Buying, The Stash and The Wardrobe.

AROUND 50,000 people are expected to flock to Kerry this summer for a new seven-day international festival.

Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers are to reunite for a special televised concert.

Singer Kenny Rogers and his wife, Wanda, have become parents to identical twin boys.

Country legend Kenny Rogers is searching for the best lookalikes on joke website menwholooklikekennyrogers.com so he can team up with them onstage.

Country Music Television has come up with its own list of the 100 greatest love songs, topped by Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You which she took to number in the country chart 30 years ago.

Soul singer Luther Vandross, who is recovering from a debilitating stroke that threatened to end not only his career but his life, has won a leading two American Music Awards.

Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow shares a magic moment with TV audiences as he becomes Perry Como for a Stars In Their Eyes celebrity special.

CHART sex symbols Holly Valance and Enrique Iglesias are the pop pairing most people would like to see perform duet together, according to a new poll.