The only bit of good Nations League news out of last night for Ireland is that, with Denmark’s stand-off with their federation now resolved, they are sure to present a rather more formidable obstacle to Wales in Aarhus on Sunday than sorry Ireland were able to muster in Cardiff.

The Republic of Ireland fall behind to an early goal and it is a beautifully crafted strike.

Glenn Whelan will be given the honour of leading Ireland out against Northern Ireland in the friendly at the Aviva in November.

Celtic 2 Republic of Ireland XI 2: This was always going to be a day when the Brown name dominated Celtic Park yet a midfielder with a similarly sounding surname put his stamp on the occasion too.

There are seven forwards named in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad for the upcoming summer friendlies against Celtic, France, and the USA.

Martin O’Neill appears resigned to having to plan for Ireland’s inaugural Nations League campaign without James McCarthy.

It was a mixed weekend for the Irish contingent at Championship outfit Preston as Aiden McGeady’s sixth goal of the season rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest on an afternoon when Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle were hauled off at half-time.

With Robbie Keane expected to retire from international football, Martin O’Neill’s need to unearth a striker who regularly finds the net grows ever more urgent.

It was a weekend of contrasting emotions for Joe Mason as his equaliser for Cardiff in the 2-1 Championship win over Charlton on Saturday was overshadowed by his part in a diving controversy.

Harry Arter marked his 25th birthday in style by scoring for the fifth successive league game as Bournemouth beat Millwall 2-0 to move four points clear at the top of the Championship.

Derby did just enough to justify their position as Sky Bet Championship favourites when grinding out a 1-0 win over Rotherham at Pride Park.

Three years on from a fruitless effort to recruit Kevin Doyle for Tottenham, Harry Redknapp yesterday succeeded at the second attempt by bringing the Ireland striker to Queen’s Park Rangers on loan.

QPR manager Mark Hughes named a strong line-up for tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay against MK Dons.

MK Dons 1 QPR

Dundalk 0 Sporting Fingal 2

Sporting Fingal will be looking for valuable points for European qualification when they take on Dundalk at Oriel Park tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Sporting Fingal v Galway United

BOHEMIANS, still very much in the hunt for the coveted league and cup double, will start as slight favourites to reach the FAI Ford Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on November 14 when they play host to in-form Sligo Rovers in tonight’s semi-final at Dalymount Park (8.05 pm).

Sporting Fingal 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic 2

The Republic of Ireland Under-23s boosted their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the International Challenge Trophy with a well deserved 1-0 win over Estonia in Tallinn last night.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC boss Pete Mahon has kept alive the dream that the men from Inchicore can win the FAI Cup for the first time in 49 years with a 3-1 victory over holders Sporting Fingal in Saturday’s quarter-final at Richmond Park.

St Pats Ath 3 Sporting Fingal 1

Sligo Rovers 4 Sporting Fingal 3

Sporting Fingal 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic 3

Sporting Fingal 1 Dundalk 0

Mervue United 0 Sporting Fingal 4

MANCHESTER UNITED will remember their first visit to the Aviva Stadium as a pleasant stroll in a lovely park, Alex Ferguson’s team banging in seven against an Airtricity XI — and that without Smokin’ Wayne Rooney ever catching fire in front of goal.

HISTORY in the making. The first round ball kicked in the new home of Irish football.

YOUNG Bohemians hotshot Paddy Madden is relishing the opportunity of sharing the pitch with one of the game’s greatest marksmen when an Airtricity League XI take on Manchester United in football’s inaugural outing at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

Dundalk 1 Sporting Fingal 2

Lorcan Fitzgerald has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad ahead of Wednesday night’s match against England at the RSC. The Sporting Fingal defender replaces Ian Bermingham of St Patrick’s Athletic, who has been forced to withdraw due to an Achilles injury.

Dundalk defender Shaun Kelly has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad to face England at the RSC next Wednesday.

Republic of Ireland U-23 manager Paul Doolin today named a 20-man squad to face England in their opening International Challenge Trophy match at Waterford’s RSC on May 26.

Bray Wanderers travel to Morton Stadium to take on Sporting Fingal in tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash (kick-off 7.45pm).

WITH the lead changing hands on almost a match to match basis, Sporting Fingal have the opportunity to go back to the top of the Airtricity Premier Division if they can overcome UCD at the Belfield Bowl this evening.

Dundalk can stay on top of the Premier Division table with victory over Sporting Fingal in tonight’s Premier Division clash at Morton Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

NEW Airtricity League-leaders Dundalk take their narrow advantage to Morton Stadium tonight for a tough assignment against third-placed Sporting Fingal (kick-off 7.45pm).

Galway United will be looking to kick-start their season when they take on Sporting Fingal at Terryland Park tonight, 7.45pm.

Shelbourne 1 Sporting Fingal 2

Stephen Ireland has been nominated as best overseas player of the year by the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI), despited his continued absence from the international squad.

Sporting Fingal 4 Finn Harps 1