The crisis-hit Football Association of Ireland was dealt another blow after the man lined up to assume the role of Interim CEO backed out at the last minute.

It’s the European Championship Finals draw which puts the hype in hypothetical for Ireland and 15 other nations.

Outgoing FAI general manager Noel Mooney has forecasted a protracted tenancy for Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager but admits the new boss won’t be forced to keep Robbie Keane along the journey.

Naomh Conaill will take on either Kilcoo from Down or Fermanagh’s Derrygonnelly in the Ulster Club SFC final following the Donegal champions’ win over Clontibret tonight at Omagh’s Healy Park.

FAI HQ at Abbotstown yesterday afternoon, the rain teeming down outside and, inside, a mood not a whole lot brighter than the weather, as president Donal Conway, vice president Paul Cooke, and general manager Noel Mooney sat around a table with a group of football journalists, further teasing out matters aired at an earlier press conference which had followed a meeting of the newly-convened national council.

Noel Mooney has said that he would love to have Brian Kerr back working with the FAI but, having described him as “bitter” in a recent podcast, reiterated his dismay that the former Ireland manager chose to make public an email from the association’s general manager, in which the suggestion that he take up the role of ‘media watchdog’ was subsequently witheringly dismissed by Kerr.

The FAI’s caretaker general, manager Noel Mooney, says he could not understand John Delaney’s focus on having the association debt-free by 2020.

The League of Ireland is heading for a three-tier split format from 2021 if, as expected, clubs rubber-stamp proposals next month.

Is it a poisoned chalice or an opportunity of a lifetime?

Philippe Gilbert has won stage 17 at the Vuelta a Espana from Aranda de Duero to Guadalajara.

Joe Schmidt has made a lot of changes to his Ireland set up since the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Joe Brolly has responded to the news he will not feature in RTÉ's coverage of the All-Ireland football final reply on Twitter.

There are no plans to install HawkEye at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork chairperson Tracey Kennedy has revealed.

Former Ireland internationals, head coaches, a World Cup-winning captain will be among RTÉ's stable of pundits for the Rugby World Cup.

New Kildare senior football manager Jack O’Connor says he is undeterred by the lengthy commute from South Kerry.

Cork are now looking for minor, U20, and senior hurling managers.

None of Mick McCarthy's four strikers had an international goal to their name when the squad assembled in Dublin, but they headed back to their clubs with both McGoldrick and Collins having opened their respective accounts.

Paddy Jackson is not included in the London Irish squad for Friday night's pre-season friendly against Munster in Musgrave Park.

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys were greeted with an incredible new piece of technology when they stepped foot inside AT&T Stadium for their season-opening victory over the New York Giants.

Joe Brolly will not be part of RTÉ's coverage of Saturday's All-Ireland football final replay.

John Egan will captain the Republic of Ireland for the first time tonight when Bulgaria visit the Aviva for an international friendly.

Stephen Ireland has said his international exile was because he couldn't afford to spend time away from his children.

All-Ireland champions Cork and beaten finalists Galway lead the way in the Electric Ireland minor football team of the year, with four players from either county selected.

88-year-old Jim Hannon is both surprised and embarrassed by the attention his president’s prize victory in Mallow has generated.

The company overseeing the replacement of the pitch at Páirc Uí Chaoimh have expressed delight at the progress of the work.

Leinster chairman Jim Bolger has admitted a radical move to a new-look eight-team Leinster hurling championship, comprising two groups of four, is unlikely.

Kerry great Aidan O’Mahony reckons it’s a myth that Dublin’s bench options have diminished as they close in on the five in a row.

As Mick McCarthy heaped more praise on Stephen Kenny’s Ireland U21s, striker Adam Idah is adamant the squad are comfortable with the growing hype surrounding them.

In a global football landscape increasingly studded with state-of-the-art academies, you don’t hear too much talk about street football anymore.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Garry Ringrose’s place in the Ireland starting XV is in doubt.

Darragh O’Keeffe may not yet be a familiar face to National Hunt fans but the teenager from Mallow is a rapidly rising star in the sport, and potentially on his way to setting records in what is just his second season riding over jumps.

The first instalment was one of those rare games that seem to get inside your soul and suck you into the emotional rollercoaster that was playing out before your eyes.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Ireland can back up their World No.1 ranking by winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In a spirit of, as he put it,“nothing ventured, nothing gained”, Mick McCarthy has made the left-field decision to play Conor Hourihane atleft-back against Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

To curve or to swerve — that is the question.

You never know who you might bump into in Carton House during an Ireland camp.

Declan Rice has revealed threats were made against him and his family after switching allegiance from Ireland to England.

A first-half hat-trick from Daniel Kelly ensured that Dundalk remain on course for a domestic treble as Vinny Perth’s side booked their place into the semi-final of the FAI Cup after a hard-fought win over a battling Waterford FC at the RSC last night.

Both the Irish senior women and men got one of their preferred draw for the Olympic qualifiers as they both face battles with Canada in the next two months for a ticket to Tokyo 2020.

Stephen Rochford will replace Joe Brolly on RTÉ’s live panel for this Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC replay.

Noel Mooney believes government opposition to his role at the FAI is “bonkers and not based in reality” but says he is prepared to leave his position as caretaker general manager “for the good of Irish football”.

Newmarket collected the Duhallow Junior Hurling Championship trophy last Sunday after a 40-year wait.

Waterford look set to be without Tadhg De Burca for a large portion of next year.

Former Cork City players Neal Horgan and Darren Murphy interview FAI General Manager Noel Mooney about the League of Ireland's future.