The period between his last game against Tottenham Hotspur two-and-a-half years ago and today’s meeting with the Premier League high flyers in the FA Cup has taught Owen Garvan much about the fickle nature of football.

There is never any shortage of narratives when the Premier League season begins. 

Harry Arter had a premonition he would score against Watford, although it’s doubtful the Bournemouth midfielder could have imagined netting such a stunner in Saturday’s 1-1 Championship draw.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Owen Garvan would have been in Crystal Palace's 25-man Premier League squad had he shown a better attitude, according to manager Ian Holloway.

Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool survived a major scare against Notts County at Anfield to book their place in the third round of the Capital One Cup, winning 4-2 after extra-time.

Ian Holloway saw his Premier League new boys Crystal Palace embarrassed by League One Bristol City in the Capital One Cup at Ashton Gate tonight.

Bristol City 2 Crystal Palace 1

Crystal Palace have tied two of their promotion heroes to new contracts.

For all that the play-off final is often boiled down to cash, an Irishman illustrated the other, more human side of the day.

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0 (AET)

Former Republic of Ireland international Con Martin, best known for scoring in the famous victory over England in 1949, has died.

Nottingham Forest 2 Crystal Palace 2

Hull City manager Steve Bruce hailed David Meyler after the Republic of Ireland international’s first goal in English football helped Hull City to a 2-1 win at Watford on Saturday that lifted them to fourth in the Championship table.

Crystal Palace 2 Blackpool 2

Crystal Palace 3 Brighton 0

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1

Crystal Palace 2 Blackburn 0

Crystal Palace 2 Millwall 2

WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce was happy to be on the right end of two debatable decisions as his side moved three points clear at the top of the npower Championship with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The Good

SATURDAY

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s have been forced to make a number of changes to the squad ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA European Championship qualifier against Turkey.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21s depart for Switzerland today, with four changes to the squad originally announced for the double-header UEFA European Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland and Turkey.

Anthony Stokes is ready to answer the call of Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni tonight following a stunning display last night for the U-21s.

ANTHONY STOKES was on fire as he gave Noel King a debut to remember as new Republic of Ireland under-21 boss.

Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Noel King revelled in watching “champagne football” as he celebrated his debut game in charge with a thumping win.

Republic of Ireland U-21s 5 Estonia U-21s 0

ROY KEANE goes into his second season as Ipswich manager targeting at least a place in the top six.

Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle will battle it out for the title of senior international player of the year at the 2010 FAI International Football Awards, it was announced today.

Ipswich 0 Sheffield United 3

Ipswich 2 Cardiff 0

Republic of Ireland 1 Armenia 2

Striker Terry Dixon has been named in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad to take on Armenia in the Tallaght Stadium on March 3.

THERE was no romance in the FA Cup third round tie between Championship sides Ipswich and Blackpool as the latter were reduced to nine men and had manager Ian Holloway dismissed to the stands as they were beaten 2-1 on home turf.

Ipswich 3 QPR 0

Roy Keane refused to get carried away after his Ipswich Town side moved out of the Championship’s bottom three, following their 3-1 victory against Blackpool.

A DEPLETED Republic of Ireland U21 side were no match for a rampant Armenia in Yerevan yesterday.

Republic of Ireland U-21 boss Don Givens will be forced to make changes as he attempts to end his wait for a European Championship qualifying victory in Armenia.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens today named an 18-man squad for next month’s double-header UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifying matches away to Georgia and Armenia.

OWEN GARVAN played a captain’s role by popping up four minutes into injury-time to seal a precious point for the Irish under-21 team against Switzerland at the RSC last night.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 1 Switzerland Under-21 1

Manager Don Givens has warned his Republic of Ireland Under-21 side they need to be more ruthless if they are to keep their European Championship dreams alive.