FAI chief executive John Delaney is confident the momentum generated by the Republic of Ireland’s memorable Euro 2016 campaign can carry the team through the World Cup qualifiers.

All set for the big one tomorrow? The Super Sunday to beat them all?

The Football Association of Ireland have enlisted five former Republic of Ireland players in their international coaching set-up.

League of Ireland preview.

Drogheda United 1 Cork City 1: Cork City have the FAI Cup final to focus on now after their title challenge ended with a faltering 1-1 draw at United Park

Dundalk 6 Drogheda Utd 0: Dundalk took another huge step towards retaining the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title with a crushing victory of neighbours Drogheda Utd in last night’s Louth derby at Oriel Park.

Cork City will be looking to cut Dundalk’s lead at the top to five points when they take on St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross this evening in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division (7.45pm).

Seventeen months after hitting out at the lack of coaching opportunities in the FAI for ex-internationals, Ireland captain Robbie Keane will be pleased with the association’s new ambassador programme.

Ex-Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy says Giovanni Trapattoni is right to be giving youth its fling in Belgrade next month.

AT best, Mick McCarthy was trying some individual motivation.

IF the sight of FAI chief executive John Delaney grinning after his team were drawn to face Estonia in the Euro 2012 qualifying play-off matches next month told its own story, the feeling was definitely mutual for his Estonian counterpart.

ANDORRA may have only lost 2-0 at home to Russia on Friday, but their coach Koldo Alvarez believes they face a tougher task tonight at the Aviva Stadium.

THE silence lasted 90 seconds.

OF all Ireland’s play-off defeats, this one was the hardest to take.

THE appearance of poets Derek Mahon and Adrienne Rich on yesterday’s English higher level Paper II was welcomed in Kilkenny, where students had made preparations with those in mind.

GERMAN-BASED Tipperary show jumper Denis Lynch and Lantinus carried eight faults from qualifiers into yesterday’s grand prix at the four-star show in Bremen, Germany, but a double clear pushed them up to seventh place.

GERMAN-BASED Tipperary show jumper Denis Lynch continues to strengthen his team, acquiring the ride on two new horses.

Charlton have appointed former Hull manager Phil Parkinson as assistant to Alan Pardew.

RTÉ yesterday announced details of its mammoth World Cup coverage plans.

FORMER Ireland midfielder Mark Kinsella sought advice from Alan Curbishley before his first match in the managerial hot seat.

Walsall have sacked manager Kevan Broadhurst following the club’s relegation to League Two after Saturday’s home defeat against Huddersfield.

Kevin Kilbane insists the Republic of Ireland have a score to settle with Switzerland as the memories of the battle in Basle have not been forgotten.

Home Farm has announced a €1m sponsorship package Ireland following successful talks with Renault Ireland.

Just two appearances short of the 50-cap landmark, Republic of Ireland midfielder Mark Kinsella has admitted that his six-year international career may be at an end.

A CAUTIONARY note seems advisable after absorbing the cross-section of views expressed in the sports pages of the Sunday papers — France have conceded nothing ahead of next Saturday’s World Cup qualifying tie at the Stade de France.

CLINTON MORRISON will have more incentive than most to beat Switzerland tomorrow night in Basel, because he claimed he had to endure a racist insult during the European Championship qualifier there in November.

Walsall have landed Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella on a two-year contract.

Manager Brian Kerr made five changes for his Republic of Ireland team’s final friendly before the summer break.

Brian Kerr makes no excuses for giving some of the Republic of Ireland’s squad players a taste of senior international football in the Unity Cup.

Nigeria 3 Ireland 0

Brian Kerr refused to criticise his Republic of Ireland team after they slumped to their heaviest defeat in nine years.

Nigeria 3 Rep of Ireland 0

Nigeria 1 Rep of Ireland 0

Republic of Irelnd v Nigeria

THE circus that surrounded the return of Roy packed up, Brian Kerr was in good spirits at Dublin Airport yesterday, as his Irish squad flew out for the second game in their exhausting nine-day schedule.

Brian Kerr welcomed Roy Keane back into the international fold – then invited any other former Republic of Ireland international to come out of retirement if they wanted to.

BRIAN KERR rejoiced in Ireland’s achievement of extending their unbeaten run in friendly matches to seven after a low-key and unexceptional match against Poland in Bydgoszcz last night.

THE Republic of Ireland players admitted that the game may not have been the most entertaining, but was ideal preparation for the big tests to come in the World Cup qualifiers.

Poland 0 Ireland 0

Brian Kerr said he was satisfied with the Republic of Ireland’s goalless draw in Poland tonight given the circumstances in which they came into this international friendly.

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has named the starting team for this evening's clash with Poland in Bydgoszcz.

Roy Keane came through his first training Irish session with “no problems” and flies to Poland with the rest of the team ahead of Wednesday’s friendly.