It takes a strong man to come back from adversity to succeed again after being mercilessly mocked for failing at the highest level, but it takes a very special kind of man to do that without any trace of bitterness, anger or regret.

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.

London-based Niall O’Flaherty, 44, is lead singer with the Sultans of Ping. The Cork band will play at the Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow at the Electric Picnic this weekend.

Watching Roy Keane and the Irish players striding into Celtic Park past the statue of Jimmy Johnstone was to be reminded that, to paraphrase Martin O’Neill, some pre-match "distractions" are definitely more distracting than others, writes Liam Mackey.

EURO 2016 QUALIFIER GROUP E:

The referee at the centre of Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal at the 1986 World Cup has broken his silence about his decision to award one of the football’s most controversial goals to Argentina — and has claimed it was not his fault.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits the club’s return to the Champions League was one of the factors in his decision to retire from international football.

England captain Steven Gerrard has announced his international retirement after making 114 appearances in a career spanning 14 years.

Our pick on what to look out for on the box tonight.

Peter Shilton believes England goalkeeper Joe Hart is not yet one of the world’s elite, but has backed the Manchester City stopper to eventually reach the top bracket.

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton believes Rio Ferdinand will regret his Three Lions snub.

Ashley Cole is set to become the latest member of England’s 100-club next week - but there is likely to be more interest in Roy Hodgson’s midfield department when he names his squad to face Brazil tomorrow.

The existential hero of the football field or just cranks in fancy gloves?

Michael O’Neill is desperate to end his wait for a first victory as Northern Ireland manager against Azerbaijan tonight.

Leon Osman believes Steven Gerrard thoroughly deserves to join England’s exclusive 100 club.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was impressed by David de Gea’s midweek performance but will continue rotating his goalkeepers for the immediate future.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was impressed by David de Gea’s midweek performance but will continue rotating his goalkeepers for the immediate future.

Theo Walcott has given Roy Hodgson an unwanted injury scare by limping out of training ahead of England’s qualification showdown with Ukraine on Tuesday.

When you really stop and think about it, Giovanni Trapattoni’s comments on Monday night were pretty startling.

Joe Hart last night set his sights on being England’s “rock” at the European Championship but admitted he had a long way to go to match the country’s goalkeeping greats.

Rio Ferdinand took a farewell swipe at Fabio Capello today as he joined Wayne Rooney in endorsing Harry Redknapp as his choice to become England’s new manager.

Former England manager Graham Taylor today joined Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in endorsing Harry Redknapp as his choice to become England’s new manager.

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.

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

IN the year I saw my first live NBA game, it was worth a sleepless night to catch the season’s last.

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.

'Strictly Come Dancing' star Michelle Williams had a hair-raising experience when a dance lesson with her new partner went wrong.

IT suddenly occurred to me at the weekend that I might’ve missed England v Montenegro, only to discover this game wasn’t until Tuesday night.

Kara Tointon topped the leaderboard on last night’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – despite tripping over her outfit.

Former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams will share the dancefloor with ex-MP Ann Widdecombe in the new series of 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

David Beckham’s agent last night promised the 35-year-old “will always be available for his country”, despite Fabio Capello calling time on the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder’s England career.

ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello feels he has found some young players who can help him build for the future after the 2-1 friendly win over Hungary at Wembley.

Fabio Capello tonight called time on David Beckham’s international career.

ONLY two teams, Uruguay in 1950 and West Germany in 1954, have won the World Cup using two goalkeepers during the tournament so England manager Fabio Capello faces a real conundrum today as he contemplates what to do with Robert Green following his lamentable error against the United States.

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

Heather Mills is to take part in ‘Dancing On Ice’, it was announced.

BRAZIL legend Pele has hit back in his war of words with Diego Maradona by ridiculing the Argentine’s ‘hand of God’ goal against England in 1986.

Craig Gordon is set to replace Allan McGregor for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland at Hampden after Scotland boss George Burley claimed the Ibrox number one was naive in losing the second goal in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat in Holland.

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is considering an application for a British passport and would not rule out playing for England one day.

WORLD CUP organisers will look to tap into David Beckham’s “brand” before the 2010 tournament and have promised to honour him in South Africa if he equals the record for the most England caps.

David Beckham is expected to learn today whether his future lies in Italy or the United States.