When attempting to outline differences between people who reside on the southern side of the River Lee and those who live on its northern slopes, one would always be best advised to tread carefully.

So the much anticipated transfer of Brian Lenihan has finally been confirmed by Cork City FC.

Former Sligo Rovers player Seamus Coleman is all the rage these days.

Appointing Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane as the Republic of Ireland’s new management team is the exact type of boost the Airtricity League needed.

Irish players formed central parts in the play- off victories of two sides at the weekend.

As well as the Eurovision, highlights include the return of The Good Wife to RTÉ

Aiden McGeady got “cold feet” about joining Wigan at the last minute, the Irish Examiner understands.

FT: Hibernian 1 Motherwell 1

Second-half goals from Joe Ledley, Georgios Samaras, Anthony Stokes and Scott Brown helped Celtic to a 4-0 win against 10-man Dundee United and into a semi-final of the William Hill Scottish Cup against either Hearts or St Mirren.

Hibernian 0 St Mirren 0

Rangers gave their supporters some much-needed cheer with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Inverness to secure their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League points since going into administration.

Ireland and Birmingham City goalkeeper Colin Doyle wants to banish some demons in today’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea.

Leeds defender Andy O’Brien will receive the club’s full support as he bids to win back his first-team place after receiving treatment for depression.

Martyn McFadden , editor of Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme, assesses David Meyler’s and James McClean’s Euro 2012 hopes.

Emile Sinclair scored twice as League Two minnows Macclesfield topped the bill on a night of Carling Cup upsets with a 2-0 win over npower Championship Hull at the KC Stadium tonight.

NEW Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton has admitted the Airtricity League is on his radar in terms of identifying new recruits.

ACCORDING to an insider’s account, Roy Keane fairly lit into his players in the Ipswich Town dressing room after yesterday’s defeat to Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

INTER MILAN are at the front of the queue to sign Chelsea duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco but a number of Europe’s leading clubs are monitoring the situation.

SUNDERLAND’S new manager will face the task of clearing the decks before he presses ahead with his own plans for rebuilding the squad.

Blackpool 2 Reading 2

RICKY SBRAGIA feels Sunderland is a happier place to manage after ridding the club of the dressing room dissenters and whisperers.

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra is battling against an ankle injury to be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Bolton.

Striker Martyn Waghorn today became the 13th Sunderland player to go out on loan this season.

Cork City 3 Bray Wanderers 0

DUNDEE UNITED manager Craig Levein saved himself another trip to face the Scottish FA’s disciplinary committee, by remaining calm over referee Charlie Richmond’s handling of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Celtic.

Dundee United 1 Celtic 1

The news Cork City are in serious financial trouble has sent shock waves throughout Irish football and raises questions about the long-term viability of the League of Ireland, writes Liam Mackey

ROY KEANE has been plunged into a striker crisis ahead of Sunderland’s season opener against Liverpool on Saturday after Michael Chopra was hit with a three-match ban.

Dundee United have signed Sunderland forward Roy O’Donovan on a season-long loan.

THE Sunderland headlines this week might be all about El Hadji Diouf, and perhaps a couple more fetching up on Wearside but, back home for his club’s pre-season friendly against Cobh Ramblers in Turner’s Cross on Monday, Roy Keane was never going to escape without being asked for his view about the big Irish transfer news of the week — his former international team mate Robbie Keane’s move to Liverpool.

“I ALWAYS like coming to Ireland for friendlies, the Irish mentality is that you always want to do well against the English.”

Sunderland have confirmed the signing of teenage midfielder David Meyler from Cork City.

JOE GAMBLE might have just pledged his future to Cork City by signing a new three-year deal — official confirmation of which is imminent — but the club will have to do without their influential midfielder for tomorrow’s eircom League game away to Drogheda United (kick off 3pm).

EVEN with precious little other than pride at stake, it would have been out of character for Roy Keane or Arsene Wenger to lose any focus. That said, they could have been excused yesterday if their thoughts occasionally drifted to events elsewhere.

Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1

Bolton 2 Sunderland 0

WE’VE known him as a midfield enforcer, an up-and-coming manager, a yoga enthusiast and even the inspiration for a long-running stage play but once a year we get to see Roy Keane the comedian as well.

ROY KEANE has revealed he could offer Dwight Yorke a player-coach role at Sunderland next season.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own.

Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1

Sunderland 2 Wigan 0