Padraig McCarthy was on the Irish team that scored an historic win in Boekelo last year and, while he feels a repeat could not be dismissed this weekend, he said the ground conditions at the Dutch fixture could make for a different scenario.

Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill paid tribute to the team for buying into his philosophy after they sealed their place at next summer’s European Championship last night.

Charities and rights groups welcomed the Government’s action plan on the refugee crisis but warned sufficient resources and organisation were crucial to its successful implementation.

An appeal to Catholic parishes to take in refugees could see several thousand families from Syria and other conflict countries rehomed across the country.

A race against time is under way to get Ireland ready to open its doors to refugees as warnings mount that preparations need to begin immediately.

Northern Ireland inched ever closer to a place in France next summer after victory over the 10-man Faroe Islands.

Scotland 1 Northern Ireland 0: A late header by substitute Christophe Berra gave Scotland a narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in their Vauxhall International Challenge match at Hampden Park.

Scottish Premiership:

More than 100 Syrians from the war-torn country have been granted safe haven in Ireland under a humanitarian admission programme.

Nearly 70% of SMEs have plans to invest in their business over the coming 12 months, but concern remains regarding their focus on export opportunities.

Former Wolves defender Steven Mouyokolo made his Celtic debut in the Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a gun attack on three police officers responding to a call for help in the North.

Kildare rider Aoife Clark’s rise up the leaderboard at the Badminton Horse Trials saw her finish in eighth place yesterday.

Aoife Clark and Master Crusoe added just 0.8 time penalties on the cross-country at Badminton Horse Trials yesterday, rising four places to 12th.

Celtic 4 Aberdeen 3

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 Aberdeen 1

Gary Hooper returned to the Celtic side for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Parkhead.

St Mirren 1 Aberdeen 0

RANGERS closed the gap on Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Celtic to two points with a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen thanks to a stunning overhead kick from Nikica Jelavic.

Aberdeen 0 Rangers 1

St Mirren 1 Aberdeen 1

Dundee Utd 3 Aberdeen 1

SHOW jumper Jessica Kürten’s slide down the Rolex World Rankings continued last month, with the Antrim woman now lying 20th.

Celtic 9 Aberdeen 0

JIM NEWSAM did not get his wish for a “Down double” yesterday, even if he played his part by winning the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Cork.

SARAH WARDELL yesterday took the first step in making up for an aborted effort with Kincluny earlier this month at Burghley, by taking poll position on day one of the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

RORY GALLAGHER yesterday offered more compelling evidence to Fermanagh manager Malachy O’Rourke that he must receive a recall to the county squad.

St Gall’s 2-15 Clontibret 0-11

Firefighters were tonight tackling a major mountain blaze in Co Armagh.

Organisers of a massive new loyalist rally could unleash a fresh wave of violence on the streets of Belfast, outraged nationalists claimed today.

TWENTY ONE-year-old Connor Doran performed the necessary heroics over the closing holes to play the lead part in yesterday’s Bulmer’s Barton Shield victory for Banbridge over Stackstown at Lisburn.

ON August 2, 2003, the Northern Ireland branch of the Submarine Association will be holding a dinner in Belfast to commemorate Operation Struggle on July 31, 1945, and the successful attack on the Japanese Cruiser Takao

Fianna Fail duo Marian Magennis and Michael Kitt have both been eliminated from the election for seats on the Seanad’s public administration panel.

A frantic rescue operation to free casualties from a car crash in which three people were killed was hampered by attacks on police, fire chiefs said today.

Two Ulster Unionist have been elevated to the House of Lords in the British