Phil Jones missed the open section of Manchester United training at Carrington this morning ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League meeting with Real Madrid.

Ireland U-21 3 Netherlands U-21 0

This afternoon’s U21 friendly against Holland at Tallaght Stadium (1pm) offers new beginnings for many Irish youngsters and Sean McGinty appreciates the chance presented to him by Noel King.

A judge yesterday told a 20-year-old motorist that his drunk and dangerous driving caused “the death of an unborn baby” of a pregnant garda.

Many might have come to worship at the shrine of Man U but, on a balmy evening when a packed Turner’s Cross was looking its best, the majority would surely have left at the end imbued with much admiration for Tommy Dunne, his players and what Cork City football club as a whole are doing for the game of football on Leeside.

Household names may be few and far between for the Manchester United XI that take on Cork City at Turner’s Cross this evening but United reserves manager Warren Joyce believes several of those on show can make the leap up to the Red Devils’ first team.

RISING Manchester United star Michael Keane last night confirmed his intention to turn his back on Ireland for a switch to his homeland of England.

AS IRELAND’S defeated U19 European Championship semi-finalists touched down in Ireland in the early hours of Sunday morning, captain John Egan backed the original decision of manager Paul Doolin to leave some big names out for the showpiece in Romania.

AS the dust settled on his feat of qualifying Ireland for the first U19 European Championship finals in nine years, Ireland manager Paul Doolin will this week start mapping out preparations for the showpiece in Romania in July.

Republic of Ireland Under-19 coach Paul Doolin has named his squad for the upcoming UEFA Under-19 Championship elite stage qualifiers in Poland from May 24-29.

CHELSEA got a boost from their young guard yesterday as they edged the FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg clash with Manchester United 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.

NOT a bad weekend for Kevin Doyle who, having scored in Wolves’ 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday, last night struck on the double at the 3/FAI International Awards.

KEVIN DOYLE, Richard Dunne and John O’Shea are the contenders for the 3/FAI Senior International Player of the Year award at a gala ceremony in Dublin on February 6.

Sean McCaffrey’s U19 Ireland side have defeated reigning European Champions, Ukraine 1-0 to keep their hopes of qualifying for this summer’s UEFA Championship finals in France firmly alive.

Republic of Ireland 1-3 Poland