NEW FAI Chief Executive Fran Rooney has set himself a number of ambitious goals, insisting: “If it wasn’t a challenge, I wouldn’t be here.”

BRIAN KERR used Ireland’s eight-days sweep across the Caucasus and the Balkans to set his reign as manager on solid foundations.

THE FAI have made special plans to fly Robbie Keane to Tbilisi today if he decides to play against Georgia tomorrow in the European Championship qualifying tie.

IRELAND seem sure of a chilly welcome weatherwise in Georgia this week but a much warmer one from the local fans.

Brian Kerr was in downbeat mood as he looked ahead to the forthcoming games against Georgia and Albania because of the passing away of Robbie Keane's father yesterday evening.

JOHN O’SHEA will travel to Dublin today to link up with his Irish international colleagues despite a hamstring scare in Manchester United’s Premiership victory over Fulham.

BRIAN KERR yesterday confirmed Roy Keane will be among those players he will approach before he announces his first international selection.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S rising young star, John O’Shea, yesterday said that Roy Keane had been a fantastic inspiration to him when he first joined the Old Trafford club and he hoped he would come back to play for Ireland.