It’s the season of goodwill so, with a crazy Premier League season now at its halfway point, what better time to dole out some imaginary festive awards?

The carousel has a few more circuits to run before the music stops, but Ireland’s Euro 2016 ride is all but over with four qualifying games still to go after this 1-1 draw with Scotland that leaves them needing an incredulous string of results to make it to France.

Every week, Steve Neville will be looking at the positives in the world in sport. This week he looks at AFC Bournemouth and how they went from near financial ruin to a chance of playing in the Premier League.

Martin O’Neill’s task has been put into perspective by two new magazine lists, writes Liam Mackey.