Wexford Youths 2 Drogheda United 0: It was a Halloween treat for Wexford Youths as two superb second-half goals handed them the advantage over Drogheda United following this first-leg promotion/relegation playoff at Ferrycarrig Park last night.

Cobh Ramblers 0 Drogheda Utd 2: A couple of well taken goals in two second-half minutes in this SSE Airtricity First Division play off, first leg put Drogheda well on course for a return to the Premier League.

Drogheda United 1 Cork City 1: Cork City have the FAI Cup final to focus on now after their title challenge ended with a faltering 1-1 draw at United Park

With leaders Dundalk and second-placed Cork City not in action tonight, Shamrock Rovers have a chance to leapfrog the Rebels when they host Drogheda United at Tallaght (8pm).

Drogheda United 1 Cork City 2

The season might still be young but three games in the next seven days will tell a lot about Dundalk’s ability to successfully defend their Airtricity League title.

It would be no surprise to pick up a tabloid newspaper today and see Conor Murray mocked up to resemble John Wayne’s Sean Thornton character in The Quiet Man. Most likely in that scene where he biffs Victor McLaglen.

TWO years ago Maureen O’Hara checked into the Ashford Castle hotel to stay in the room she called home during the filming of The Quiet Man.

A Quiet Man festival is launching an X Factor-style search for Ireland’s bestMichaeleen Flynn lookalike.

SIXTY years ago, during the sun-splashed summer of 1951, the first of the trucks that would change Cong forever rumbled into town.

TRAINER Colin McBratney and in-form rider Eddie O’Connell were in double form at Downpatrick yesterday, sharing in the victory of Bachelor Lad in the featured Blue Ridge Rosebank Novice Hurdle.

The Maureen O’Hara Classic Film Festival opens this weekend. Marc O’Sullivan meets the lively actress.

BARRY Geraghty doubled-up on Golden Grimshaw and Norther Bay in Down Royal yesterday.

CLAIMER Eddie O’Connell, in his first week under the guidance of agent Niall Cronin, had a night to remember in Ballinrobe last night, completing a superb treble on City Hustler, Vivaldi and Yachvili.

THIS COLUMN doesn’t share that much with William Goldman, the acclaimed screenwriter responsible for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men and the Princess Bride.

Arsene Wenger admitted he was braced for Carling Cup humiliation before watching his Arsenal side stage a great escape to claim a penalty shoot-out win over Doncaster.

Doncaster 2 Arsenal 2 (after extra time - Arsenal won 3-1 on penalties)

Doncaster 3 Aston Villa 0

Doncaster 3 Aston Villa 0

DEPARTING Sunderland midfielder Sean Thornton has blamed a clash of personalities with manager Mick McCarthy for ending his career on Wearside.

SUNDERLAND’S Republic of Ireland U21 midfielder Sean Thornton is wanted by Leeds, Crystal Palace and Spanish side Malaga.

Sunderland's Irish misfit Sean Thornton is a target for Coca-Cola Championship duo Leeds and Crystal Palace as well as Primera Liga side Malaga.

SUNDERLAND last night confirmed its list of released players, with renegade Irish under-21 international midfielder Sean Thornton one of 11 on their way out of the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland striker Michael Bridges has been handed a free transfer as manager Mick McCarthy prepares for life back in the Barclays Premiership.

Israel 3 Republic of Ireland 1

ISRAEL manager Avraham Grant has claimed it will be an unfamiliar Israel team that Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland will face on Saturday week.

Don Givens has made six changes to his squad for the upcoming Under 21 European Championship game with Israel.

IPSWICH missed a great opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as Watford claimed an unexpected 2-1 win at Portman Road.

Derby 0 Sunderland 2

Marcus Stewart exorcised the ghost of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace by dumping the Barclays Premiership side out of the FA Cup.

FANS of The Quiet Man film - set in Ireland in 1951 - plan to dub the John Ford classic into the Irish language.

Fans of The Quiet Man film – set in Ireland in 1951 – plan to dub the John Ford classic into the Irish language, it emerged today.

Fans of the film The Quiet Man – set in Ireland in 1951 – plan to dub it into the Irish language, it emerged tonight.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 manager Don Givens is eager to erase from the memory his side’s Swiss miss.

SUNDERLAND’S Irish star Sean Thornton has asked for a transfer.

DON GIVENS has given the side that beat Bulgaria a vote of confidence ahead of the opening European Under 21 Championship clash with Cyprus at Buckley Park, Kilkenny, tomorrow night.

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie backed the men who had given his side the slimmest of advantages in their Nationwide Division One play-off semi-final to complete the job at Sunderland.

Crystal Palace 3 Sunderland 2

Sunderland 1 Norwich 0

Sunderland 1 Norwich 0

Poland U-21s 2 Republic of Ireland U-21s 2

Poland Under-21s 2 Republic of Ireland Under-21s 2

HT: Poland 1 Rep of Ireland 0

DARREN BYFIELD further endeared himself to the Sunderland fans with the goal which earned his side a 2-1 win over Gillingham last night.