MAN CITY midfielder Stephen Ireland has put aside doubts over his commitment to the club to sign a new five-year deal at Eastlands.

AFTER TALKING to Liam Brady about Wednesday’s game in Prague on the radio yesterday, Pat Kenny read out a listener’s text which, on the basis of its selection for airing, one can only presume to have been representative of the national mood.

STEPHEN HUNT may not be too popular with Greek referees or Czech supporters but the Reading midfielder can still count on the backing of Shane Long, his team-mate at both club and international level, following his sending off in Prague.

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton admitted Ireland's European Championship qualifying hopes were effectively over after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Czech Republic in Prague.

STEVE STAUNTON’S dream of leading the Republic of Ireland to next summer’s Euro 2008 finals are effectively over after Marek Jankulovski’s first-half winner gave the Czech Republic an almost unassailable Group D advantage.

As expected Steve Staunton made one change for a match the Republic of Ireland realistically needed to win in order to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals.

RAFAEL BENITEZ hailed a “wonderful goal” from new signing Andriy Voronin in France yesterday evening that put Liverpool within touching distance of the Champions League group stages.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson made three changes to his side for this Champions League semi-final first leg match at Old Trafford.

Chelsea 2 Werder Bremen 0

A SECOND-HALF brace from Cesc Fabregas sent Arsenal on their way towards the lucrative group stages of the Champions League as the Gunners recorded a resounding 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in their qualifier last night.

Villarreal 1 Inter Milan 0 (Agg: 2-2)

PSV Eindhoven 0 Lyon 1

Benfica 2 Manchester United 1

Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus has revealed how the referee admitted he made a mistake awarding a penalty in the Champions League game against Inter Milan.

ISRAELI defender Shimon Gershon likened the final moments of Saturday’s World Cup Qualifier against Ireland to a “street fight.”

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr believes FIFA should follow the example set by the Football Association and start using video evidence for disciplinary issues.

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr insists there will be no mental hangover in the Faroe Islands following another damaging blow to morale from Israel.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has used the timely return of Roy Keane to boost the troops ahead of Wednesday’s now-crucial World Cup Group 4 qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

The Republic of Ireland have today been told an appeal against Andy O'Brien's red card could be heard ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

Republic of Ireland 2 Israel 2

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 2

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 2

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 2

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 2

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 1

Rep of Ireland 2 Israel 0

Rep of Ireland 1 Israel 0

Ian Harte returned from a 13-month international exile to win his 59th cap for the Republic of Ireland as manager Brian Kerr turned to the left-back to help solve his defensive problems.

AC Milan 2 PSV Eindhoven 0

AC Milan 2 PSV Eindhoven 0

Rafael Benitez’s side virtually picked itself for this Champions League last 16 tie at Anfield.

Champions League results GROUP F:

Champions League GROUP E:

Influential midfielder Stilian Petrov declared himself fit hours before kick-off to give Celtic a major boost for their final Champions League Group F clash with AC Milan.

Switzerland 1 Republic of Ireland 1

Clinton Morrison's and Hakan Yakin's goals in the first 20 minutes have not been added to, and it has finished 1-1 between the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland in tonights World Cup qualifier.

Goals from Clinton Morrison and Hakan Yakin mean that the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland are level at half-time.

After a period of pressure from Switzerland, Hakan Yakin has put them back on level terms with the Republic of Ireland.

Clinton Morrison has put Ireland ahead eight minutes into their World Cup qualifier against Switzerland, heading the ball in from a Damien Duff cross.

Roy Keane made his long-awaited competitive return for the Republic of Ireland after an absence of almost three years tonight.

Celtic 1 Villarreal 1

Celtic 1 Villarreal 1

Celtic v Villarreal teams.

VfB Stuttgart v Chelsea teams