... but McCarthy remains in running for Ireland return

Alex Ferguson has revealed he warned Roy Keane life would be “horrendous” for his family if he didn’t patch up his differences with Mick McCarthy in Saipan 13 years ago.

After narrowly avoiding a stray plastic bottle kicked in his direction on his last visit to the country, Ireland defender Seán St Ledger is hoping to dodge the full force of Germany’s attack on Friday.

When it comes to ranking my shameful confessions, this one doesn’t quite make it to the top spot.

WELL, what else is there to talk about? If the national finals of the tiddly-winks federation were taking place this weekend, the organisers would be inundated with spectators, there’s so little sport on offer anywhere else, inside or outside.

Don Givens is confident new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will stiffen the resolve of a now all-too-brittle side.

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has welcomed Ray Houghton as the third member of the three-man committee tasked with selecting Steve Staunton’s successor.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt has admitted his team have no excuses for their performance against Cyprus on Wednesday night which is likely to cost boss Steve Staunton his job.

Shane Long will miss Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus on Wednesday with a groin injury.

THE Republic of Ireland will play a ‘B’ international against Scotland on Tuesday November 20 in Airdire.

EIGHT minutes into Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Slovakia in Bratislava on Saturday night, Stephen Ireland was on top of the world, having just given his country the lead in a vital match away from home.

Stephen Ireland was “stupid” to lie to the Republic of Ireland about his grandmother dying so he could leave the national squad and return to his distraught girlfriend, according to Sven-Goran Eriksson .

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has today admitted to lying about the circumstances of his withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland squad.

Stephen Staunton has drafted Andy Reid into the starting team for tomorrow night's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton's woes continue ahead of Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Coach Stephen Staunton will spend the next few days trying to lift the Ireland squad following the disappointment of their failure to defeat Slovakia last night.

The Ireland team continue their preparations today ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Slovakia.

Stephen Staunton is without Shay Given and Damien Duff for Ireland's friendly with Denmark on Wednesday.

IRELAND boss Stephen Staunton has been checking out Plymouth Argyle midfielder David Norris who could be set for an international call-up this month.

Stephen Staunton is due to name his squad today for the Republic of Ireland's American tour at the end of this month.

It’s a big week for the Champions League and soccer correspondent Liam Mackey sticks out his neck to predict the four semi-finalists.

NOW it can be revealed: the Irish manager was on the point of resigning in the face of the hostile media reaction to a disastrous result for the boys in green earlier in their Euro 2008 campaign.

LAST WEEK, Bobby Robson raised a few eyebrows when, citing Ireland’s run of seven points from three games, he suggested that the team were now “on a roll”.

Ireland face Wales in today's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Croke Park - with neither side able to afford defeat.

Wolves' Andy Keogh has been called up to the Ireland squad to replace the injured Caleb Folan.

The GAA today agreed to allow soccer and rugby matches to be played at Croke Park in 2008, but rejected the possibility of hosting non-Gaelic games beyond that point.

Celtic Winger Aiden McGeady has been forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of next Wednesdays Euro 2008 Qualifier against San Marino because of a knee injury.

The Republic of Ireland will play Denmark in a senior international friendly on August 22 in Aarhus, Denmark.

IRELAND midfielder Mark Kennedy has spoken out against Stephen Staunton for prematurely ending his international career.

Bristol City defender Richard Keogh will captain the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 side for the first time tonight in a friendly international against Luxembourg.

Ireland's Euro 2008 qualification hopes are already in tatters, after losing 5-2 away to Cyprus.

Irish manager Stephen Staunton faced the press for the final time ahead of the crunch qualifier with Cyprus revealing that Paddy Kenny will, as expected replace Shay Given in goal.

REPUBLIC of Ireland midfielder Graham Kavanagh is out of next month’s Euro 2004 qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.

SHAY GIVEN spent last night in a London hospital with suspected rib damage.

The three Irish players who broke away from training with the international squad to complete transfer deals last night are set to rejoin the squad later this morning.

Ireland manager Stephen Staunton is due to unveil his squad today for the opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany in just under two weeks' time.

Gardaí are still questioning a man in Dublin in relation to an incident in which Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton was approached by a man armed with a gun outside the team hotel in Portmarnock.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has tonight been involved in a serious incident outside the team hotel in Portmarnock.

Stephen Carr’s 10-month international exile is over after the Newcastle defender was named in a 24-man Republic of Ireland squad to face Holland in a friendly at Lansdowne Road next Wednesday.

BRAY Wanderers manager Pat Devlin has joined Stephen Staunton’s team as ‘B’ international team manager and eircom League coordinator.

The new Manager of the Republic of Ireland Stephen Staunton has confirmed newspaper reports that Ireland's next match will come in May against Chile.

WITH one eye on the long-term future, Stephen Staunton has drafted five uncapped players into his first Irish squad.