Martin O'Neill has warned the Republic of Ireland not to be taken in by rumours of disharmony in the Austria camp ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier.

You could call this a breakthrough season for Austrian football, but it is a breakthrough with a catch, writes David Shonfield.

Cork City goalkeepers Mark McNulty and Alan Smith are literally lending a helping hand to the Irish cause.

James McClean fired the Republic of Ireland to a precious World Cup qualifying victory in Austria to spare himself a showdown with Roy Keane.

Austria have the talent to overcome Ireland and their “machine” Jon Walters on Saturday, according to Arnautovic.

ALIENS have visited Earth. No doubt about it. They just haven’t introduced themselves yet — after all, they’re too busy searching for signs of intelligent life. Or, maybe they were scared away by our highly-trained Halo military force. (Tea-bagging can have that effect).

Giovanni Trapattoni’s tenure as Republic of Ireland manager appears to be drawing to a close with the Football Association of Ireland considering his position.

Marcel Koller may view the Republic of Ireland as slight favourites ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier, but the Austria manager is ready to upset the odds and the standings in Group C.

WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP C QUALIFIER:

Uefa have stepped in to help the Football Association of Ireland meet its debt repayments for the Aviva Stadium.

UEFA have stepped in to help the Football Association of Ireland meet its debt repayments for the Aviva Stadium.

Wales 2 Austria 1

Austrian doctors treating the Dutch Prince Johan Friso say he suffered massive brain damage after being buried by an avalanche last week, and he may never regain consciousness.

Former Czech Republic striker Jan Koller has retired from football at the age of 38 due to injury problems.

Alex McLeish has revealed Birmingham attempted to bring Czech Republic international Jan Koller to St Andrews.

Birmingham have rejected a bid of £5.5m, plus central defender Bobo Balde, for striker James McFadden from Celtic.

Turkey 3 Czech Republic 2

Turkey 0 Czech Republic 1

Czech Republic 1 Portugal 3

CZECH REPUBLIC captain Tomas Ujfalusi is confident his team’s class of 2008 have enough quality to make a serious impact at this year’s European Championships. The Czechs face hosts Switzerland in the opening match today (kick-off 5pm).

Czech Republic striker Jan Koller will not join Fulham despite a move to Nurnberg apparently hitting a snag.

CZECH REPUBLIC sealed first place in Ireland’s Group D with a comfortable victory in Cyprus.

CZECH REPUBLIC booked their spot in next summer’s European Championships last night with a 3-0 victory over Germany in Munich.

Steve Staunton has backed midfielder Andy Reid to bounce back from the disappointment of being dropped and help steer his nation towards Euro 2008 qualification.

IF there was one man who dominated the headlines the last time Ireland played the Czech Republic it was the then West Brom employee Paul McShane.

KAREL BRUCKNER is a man under pressure and it shows. He spent 28 minutes speaking to the media at Sparta Prague’s Axa Arena, most of it accompanied by deep sighs and withering looks.

Lee Carsley has urged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to seize upon a Czech Republic striker crisis and take a huge step towards European Championship qualification in Prague tomorrow night.

CZECH REPUBLIC striker Jan Koller has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Euro 2008 qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland through suspension.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has dismissed speculation he is about to sign veteran Czech striker Jan Koller from Monaco.

THE Czech Republic limped to a narrow victory over Cyprus thanks to a single goal from Jan Koller which took them back level with Germany at the top of Euro 2008 qualifying Group D.

MAYBE Bob Dylan knows more about football than the rest of us. After all, he was the man who said the darkest hour comes right before the dawn.

Rep of Ireland 1 Czech Republic 1

SAN MARINO fell to another humbling defeat, conceding their 20th goal in two Euro 2008 qualifiers as the Czech Republic ran out 7-0 winners in Liberec.

GERMANY crushed San Marino with a record 13-0 win last night as striker Lukas Podolski scored four in the Euro 2008 Group D qualifier.

Slovakia 0 Czech Republic 3

Czech Republic 2 Wales 1

Aston Villa striker Milan Baros is still suffering from a foot injury and is uncertain when he will be available to play for the Czech Republic in the World Cup.

PETR CECH has told Arsenal fans to expect more of the same from £8 million (€11.7m) new boy Tomas Rosicky next season.

Giant Czech striker Jan Koller’s World Cup is not over after scans revealed the thigh injury picked up in Monday’s win over the United States is not as serious as was first feared.

CZECH REPUBLIC striker Milan Baros fears he will miss the entire World Cup with a foot injury.

United States 0 Czech Republic 3