Steven Davis will earn his 100th Northern Ireland cap tomorrow night but he insists the World Cup play-off with Switzerland is more important than such personal landmarks.

Should next Saturday’s Champions League final resolve itself into a head to head contest between Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, the outcome might not only decide the game but also the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or.

And so they left with a bang not a whimper, as Spurs said goodbye to White Hart Lane after 118 years in emphatic style, playing Manchester United off the park, sealing second spot in the Premier League, and showing why they are considered the most exciting young side in the country.

Different era, same trauma. For Séamus Coleman 2017 read Jimmy Holmes 1979.

Liam Brady once said the best two keepers he played with were also the quietest — Dino Zoff and Pat Jennings. The latter knows the uphill battle facing Northern Ireland this month, but is living proof of what can be achieved punching above their weight.

Cork City 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 0: Karl Sheppard’s third goal in three games saw Cork City move up to second in the SSE Airtricity League premier division table after a narrow win over St Pat’s at Turners Cross last night.

While the SSE Airtricity League top two of Dundalk and Derry are, respectively, away to Bohemians and at home to Sligo Rovers, probably the most eye-catching Premier Division fixture this evening sees third play fifth, as Cork City host St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross.

It’s being billed in many quarters as a make or break 90 minutes in Ireland’s quest to make it to France in 2016 but whether his team wins, loses or draws against Scotland on Saturday, Martin O’Neill maintains the result of this one game won’t define the final outcome of the qualifying race.

FORMER Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey might not have become a model if her mum hadn’t sent a photo of her to Assets Models Agency.

Liam Brady has warned that the lack of young football talent coming through from Ireland is "scary".

Martin O’Neill is hoping Ireland don’t get France in tomorrow’s Euro 2016 qualifying draw. And it has nothing to do with Thierry Henry and ‘The Hand of Gaul’.

Des MacHale is right (Letters, Nov 18). A single team could represent Ireland North and South in soccer.

An all-Ireland soccer team should take on England every two years to raise money for children, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

FAI boss John Delaney believes qualification for the European Championships in 2016 would be an appropriate way to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, especially now as we have a manager who not only was born in the six counties but was captain of its Northern Ireland football team.

Former Republic of Ireland and Arsenal great Liam Brady believes Jack Wilshere will only improve for club and country after the England midfielder’s impressive return from his injury travails.

Limerick FC 1 Athlone Town 0

Waterford United 4 Longford Town 2

Ten-man Waterford United slipped up in the race for automatic promotion as they were held to a scoreless draw by Athlone Town at the RSC.

Second-half goals from Stephen Walsh and Tom King gave Mervue United the points at Fahy’s Field last night.

Athlone Town and Finn Harps played out an entertaining draw at Lissywoollen last night.

Two late goals for Waterford United sealed a victory they deserved, but one they were far from certain to secure throughout the last 15 minutes of this Airtricity clash.

Waterford United cruised to success at the RSC last night as the Blues kept their promotion hopes well and truly alive against an opposition side that battled but never looked capable of holding the home side.

Limerick FC maintained their promotion drive with a nervy win at Jackman Park last night.

Athlone added to Mervue’s woes with victory at Lissywoollen last night.

Waterford were held to a draw by 10-man Athlone Town at the RSC last night in a game marred by some bizzare refereeing by Kildare’s Adriano Reale.

Wexford Youths moved second in the First Division courtesy of a 59th minute strike from captain Danny Furlong against Athlone Town last night.

Joe Woods’ sublime chip 21 minutes from time sent Athlone Town level at the top of the Airtricity First Division table for 24 hours at least, leaving 10-man Mervue searching for their first point.

VETERAN Alan Kirby’s 65th minute strike helped leaders Longford Town to a comfortable three points over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park last night.

Many goalkeepers have now scored from corners, free-kicks or penalties, but Everton’s Tim Howard last night joined the more exclusive club of those to find the net from considerably longer range.

IT WAS the night we went to a football match and a party broke out. Or maybe it was the other way around.

Northern Ireland’s most capped player, Pat Jennings, is to be honoured by UEFA.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will look to resolve his situation at Manchester City in January as he grows increasingly frustrated with his lack of action.

MAURICE O’MEARA, named manager of the year at the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) annual awards, is confident the ‘3’ Irish Open will return to Killarney next year.

FORMER Argentina star Ossie Ardiles believes tomorrow’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium has taken on added significance since the departure of national team boss Diego Maradona.

Shamrock Rovers will return to the top of the table with victory over Sporting Fingal in this afternoon’s clash at Morton Stadium, kick-off 4.00pm.

Rory McIlroy had a brighter day in brutal weather today as he led Northern Ireland to victory in a star-studded challenge match against the Republic of Ireland.

ACCORDING to the old saying, it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

Arsene Wenger believes whomever he puts in goal at West Ham on Sunday will do Arsenal justice.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington gave a history lesson to his players on the eve of the World Cup qualifier against Poland and urged them to become heroes.

Trad group De Dannan have planned a one-off reunion for this year’s World Fleadh Festival, it was announced today.

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp will still have money to spend in the January transfer window despite Jermain Defoe’s £15 million return to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth.