Stephen Gleeson of Wolves is the latest player to be called up to the Republic of Ireland squad, who travel to the states tomorrow ahead of next weeks friendlies against South American opposition.

The future of Mick McCarty’s Sunderland as a Premiership side looked dead and buried tonight, as Middlesbrough secured a convincing victory over their north-east rivals at the Stadium of Light.

Fine Gael spokesman on sport, Jimmy Deenihan TD, this morning urged Minister John O'Donoghue to join him in pleading the case for hundreds of thousands of football supporters who want to welcome the Irish soccer team home to the streets of Dublin.

In World Cup football today, Ireland take on Cyprus at Lansdowne Road with a chance to qualify for next summer’s World Cup Finals at stake.