At midday today, Ireland’s production factory for footballers will be on show when we meet our nearest neighbour and rival England for a place in the U17 European Championship semi-finals.

There was a moment during the last World Cup finals when it seemed the Dutch might be about to write a new chapter in their glorious football history, writes David Shonfield

Jamie Johnson, Noah Murphy, Maggie O’Connell, Charlie Stubbs, Shakes, The Blok, El Matador. Are we seeing the emergence of a crop of fictional footballers worthy of standing on the shoulders of giants like Roy Race, Blackie Gray, Tommy Barnes, Billy Dane, Hamish Balfour, Johnny Dexter and Glipton Grasshoppers’ star man Ross Nelson?

As many expected,

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Still exhibiting the nonchalance which typified his stellar playing career, it says much for the FAI’s €5m hush deal with Fifa that it makes Ruud Gullit fume.

Though we’re not sure what this says about the choices of Ireland’s finest footballers.

The sight of Paolo di Canio sliding across the St James’ Park turf on his knees in celebration is one which will always haunt John Carver.

Robin van Persie has confirmed he will not attend the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich because of the ankle injury he suffered in Manchester United’s defeat to Southampton yesterday.

Roy Keane shares Niall Quinn’s disappointment at Stephen Ireland’s international exile — insisting representing Ireland should rank as the high point of a player’s career.

Louis van Gaal thinks he may have bamboozled his players with too much information in the opening two months of his reign as Manchester United manager.

Louis van Gaal insists he is not taking a risk by looking to Manchester United’s Academy to solve his injury crisis.

Louis van Gaal admits reviving Manchester United’s fortunes could be the hardest job of his 23-year management career.

Juan Mata pictured has apologised to Manchester United fans after the team’s embarrassing 5-3 defeat to Leicester.

Juan Mata has apologised to Manchester United fans after the team’s embarrassing 5-3 defeat to Leicester.

Phil Neville will join a new-look Match of the Day team for next season as the BBC prepare for life after Alan Hansen.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

Liverpool and Chelsea’s rivalry has developed in intensity and bitterness with every passing year

FIFA has dismissed the idea that it overlooked two Afro-Brazilian people as hosts for the World Cup draw because of the colour of their skin.

“I read in the paper this team are watching this player, this player, this player. Well, they’re idiots because those players are so different, how can you look at three different players in the same position?

If Wednesday’s statement is to prove the last meaningful act of Luis Suarez’s Liverpool career, it would be an entirely appropriate way to finish it: another deft turn, a blatant piece of cynicism.

Roberto Di Matteo has leapt to the defence of Fernando Torres again after former Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit put the boot into the misfiring striker.

Louis van Gaal has been appointed Netherlands coach until the 2014 World Cup, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have announced.

NETHERLANDS coach Bert van Marwijk and captain Mark van Bommel last night refused to dwell on the racist abuse allegedly suffered by black members of the squad during a training session in Krakow.

Former Liverpool assistant boss Steve Clarke is in contention to become West Brom's new manager, it is understood.

Four first-phase clashes at Euro 2012 have a historical resonance, says Paul Kelly.

“Into the face of the young man... there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty, hangdog look which announces that a hurling fan is about to talk Gaelic football.”

Two former championship-winning footballers believe it is imperative that Arsenal keep hold of Barclays Premier League top goalscorer Robin van Persie next season if they are to challenge for honours.

The King is dead, long live the king. That was how Ken Bates, Chelsea’s controversial former chairman, greeted the arrival of Ruud Gullit as manager when Glenn Hoddle left to take over the England team nearly 15 years ago.

Chelsea enjoyed a fitness boost today ahead of their Barclays Premier League game at Everton when John Obi Mikel returned to full training after seven weeks on the sidelines.

COMING up to two years on from the hand that rocked the world, and there’s still no getting away from it.

Ruud Gullit has denied that a rift with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov prompted his departure from Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny earlier this month.

Ruud Gullit admits he has been left bemused by the events surrounding his dismissal as coach of Russian side Terek Grozny.

Ruud Gullit has been sacked as manager of Russian side Terek Grozny after just five months in the role.

Edwin van der Sar wants to take a year off to get used to being normal again.

The focus appeared to shift back on Richard Keys last night after new footage of him making inappropriate comments to Jamie Redknapp before a game surfaced on the internet.

Ruud Gullit has been unveiled as the new coach of Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny.

SO now we know: nice guys don’t just finish last — sometimes they don’t get to finish at all.