Niall Quinn has called for long-term investment in the Irish game if the Republic are to avoid being cast into the international wilderness.

Giovanni Trapattoni says that Seamus Coleman has the potential to deliver at the highest level in football and could even go on to merit comparison with two of Italy’s most celebrated full-backs, the 1982 World Cup winning pair of Claudio Gentile and Antonio Cabrini.

When asked if today’s FA Cup final represents the biggest game of his career James McCarthy’s response is instant.

The spoils might have gone to Greece but the real winner from Wednesday night’s friendly at the Aviva was Seamus Coleman, with Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday hailing him as the most complete Irish full-back since Steve Finnan and confirming the Everton man has now claimed ownership of the right-back position in the manager’s first 11.

What’s not to love about Fulham Football Club? There’s the location, location, location for a start.

Pub quiz time: What European country has produced most European Cup-winning players without a domestic club lifting the prize?

PATRICE EVRA is prepared to use video evidence to back up his claims that Luis Suarez racially abused him during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.

Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez have thanked the huge turnout who welcomed them on their flying trip to Dublin.

Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan has been released by his club Portsmouth.

Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan accepts it will be something of a step into the unknown this summer as Portsmouth set about rebuilding the club.

Portsmouth will be without injured trio Nadir Belhadj, Jamie O’Hara and Tal Ben Haim for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at Bolton.

ROUND ONE to Tottenham Hotspur.

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 5

Liverpool 4 Portsmouth 1

Portsmouth 2 Birmingham 0

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is set to welcome back Ireland international Steve Finnan for his side’s home clash with Stoke tomorrow.

Sunderland’s woes have eased slightly after Steed Malbranque was released from hospital following the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.

PORTSMOUTH striker Aruna Dindane struck deep in stoppage time last nigh to earn his side a valuable point against Sunderland in their Barclays Premier League survival bid.

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant made five changes to his starting XI for the Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth could be without Kevin-Prince Boateng and Anthony Vanden Borre for their Premier League clash with Sunderland at Fratton Park tomorrow.

Portsmouth 1 West Ham 1

GIANFRANCO ZOLA insists West Ham have the stability they crave under new owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

Striker David Nugent could make a surprise return for Portsmouth in tomorrow’s home Premier League clash with West Ham after his loan deal at Burnley expired.

Portsmouth have not ruled goalkeeper David James out of their FA Cup fourth round clash with Sunderland tomorrow, despite the England international reportedly being on the brink of a move to Stoke.

Coventry 1 Portsmouth 2 (after extra time)

AVRAM GRANT hopes to enjoy the romance of the FA Cup as Portsmouth take a break from their relegation dogfight for today’s third-round tie against Coventry – declaring “one game can change everything”.

LIVERPOOL defender Glen Johnson’s knee injury presents manager Rafael Benitez with yet another issue to resolve just as it seemed a more settled side was starting to get its season back on track.

ON the second day of Christmas, Portsmouth gave to West Ham three vital points, for the second year in succession.

West Ham 2 Portsmouth 0

Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul serves a one-match ban for his side’s trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea tomorrow.

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is missing influential defender Younes Kaboul for his side’s Barclays Premier League home clash with Burnley on Saturday.

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant will be without cup-tied quartet Jamie O’Hara, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith for the visit of Aston Villa to Fratton Park in the Carling Cup quarter-final.

Portsmouth will be without injury-plagued right-back Steve Finnan for their Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn tomorrow.

Portsmouth 4 Wigan 0

NOT for the first time – and probably not for the last – it was players not selected who dominated the exchanges in Abbotstown yesterday as Giovanni Trapattoni sought to explain why he has chosen to leave both Steven Reid and Steve Finnan out of his squad for the World Cup play-off games against France.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has defended his decision to leave Stephen Reid and Portsmouth’s Steve Finnan out of the 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying play-off against France.

IRELAND’S build-up to the World Cup qualifying play-off against France will begin to take real shape this afternoon when Giovanni Trapattoni names his squad at a press conference at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown.

Hull 0 Portsmouth 0

BARELY a week after Giovanni Trapattoni appeared to place a question mark on Steven Reid’s ability to recover fully from injury, the Irish camp has sought to placate the Blackburn Rovers midfielder who has gone public with his shock at hearing the manager’s gloomy prognosis.

Portsmouth 1 Tottenham 2

IT’S only when Sean St Ledger points out that he has yet to play for his country in Croke Park that the astonishing rapidity of his rise from relative obscurity and through the Irish ranks really hits home.

Defender Steve Finnan came through a reserve match against West Ham in midweek and could make his debut in Portsmouth’s Premier League clash with Wolves tomorrow.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart could hand a long-awaited debut to defender Steve Finnan in the Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday lunchtime.

Portsmouth will again be without defensive duo Steve Finnan (hamstring) and Hermann Hreidarsson (foot) for the Carling Cup third-round trip to Carlisle.