Giovanni Trapattoni will attempt to book a trip to next summer’s World Cup finals having secured his own future with a new two-year contract as Republic of Ireland boss.

Giovanni Trapattoni has left out Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid of his provisional 27-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro.

SHANE LONG has spent much of this season overshadowed by Reading’s more extrovert Irish stars, but the Tipperary-born striker rose to the occasion yesterday to maintain his side’s Premier League push.

IRISH AMATEUR boxing president Dominic O’Rourke believes the future stars of Irish boxing will be on display at the National Intermediate Championships which glove off at the National Stadium tonight.

BRIAN SHEEHAN and Colm Cooper will start for Kerry against Laois in the Allianz NFL semi-final at Killarney on Sunday.