Tonight’s Italian job for Ireland’s U21s will be boosted if Conor Masterson can repeat his shackling of Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone.

Aaron Connolly’s directness hasn’t always endeared him to coaches but being able to back it up with a Premier League debut affords the Brighton and Hove Albion winger some latitude.

In a few reports recently, the ‘E’ in the EGM which the FAI held last Saturday in Dunboyne was taken to mean ‘emergency’ when, according to my profound and comprehensive mastery of company law, ‘extraordinary’ is what it actually stands for.

Just because they’re in bonus territory at the Euro 19 finals doesn’t mean Ireland’s young guns are treating today’s semi-final as a free pass.

Richard Dunne reckons the time is right to fast-track Troy Parrott into the senior international set-up after the 17-year-old striker took another major step forward by setting up a goal on his debut for Spurs, as they beat Juventus 3-2 in a friendly on Sunday.

Joe Hodge proved the coolest man in scorching Yerevan by striking a sweet equaliser in Ireland’s Euro U19 finals opener against Norway last night.

Newly-promoted Sheffield United are closing on a €6.6m move for Ireland international striker Callum Robinson.

Jack Grealish and Declan Rice would still be playing for the Republic of Ireland but for weak relationships between former manager Martin O'Neill and underage coaches, according to Stephen Kenny.

Ovens native Tyreik Wright is ready for the heat — and the heat of battle — in Yerevan, as Ireland’s U19s begin the final countdown for the European Championship Finals in Armenia, with Tom Mohan’s side set to play their first group game, against Norway, on Monday.

Ireland U19 manager Tom Mohan believes his team can do the nation proud at next month’s Euros, despite losing a glut of players.

The Republic of Ireland Under-17s have earned another draw in the European Under-17 Championships.

At a time when the FAI is in the dock, former Cork City player Derek Coughlan argues that the important work which has been done to develop our young football talent deserves to be acknowledged

The Republic of Ireland Under-19s began their UEFA Under-19 European Championship Elite Round campaign with an outstanding 5-0 win over Romania in Krasnodar, Russia.

Will Keane has become the first of what Mick McCarthy hopes is a steady stream of Ireland recruits under his reign.

As Irish football slips further into crisis, U21 boss Noel King insists the public ought to lower their expectations when it comes to how the FAI’s international teams fare.

On the back of missing out on the World Cup in Russia and being heavily beaten by Wales on their return to the competitive arena, Martin O’Neill and his squad find themselves under pressure this week as they face into two big Nations League games in Dublin.

International football is these days resembling a transfer market and this time Martin O’Neill is nursing the bloody nose.

Republic of Ireland 1 Azerbaijan 0: It took until the last second of the final minute in injury time but U21 defender Shaun Donnellan ensured the good times for Irish underage football continued last night.

Nigeria will battle with Ireland to nail down the international future of Southampton teen striker Michael Obafemi but England also haven’t given up hope of landing the Premier League newcomer.

The Football Association of Ireland have enlisted five former Republic of Ireland players in their international coaching set-up.

Barney Breen. That name rings a bell. Wasn’t he the chap in charge of the Leitrim footballers in 2013? Didn’t he win a Connacht medal with them, too, as a player back in ’94?

Arsenal’s highly-rated teen star Marcus Agyei-Tabi has become the latest player to defect from Ireland to England.

Former St Patrick’s Athletic star Paul Osam has been confirmed as the new Republic of Ireland U16 head coach and will take charge of the side for the forthcoming Victory Shield competition taking place in Wales next month.

The Republic of Ireland finished their Uefa U17 Championships Qualifying Round group in pole position after a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Lohja, Finland, yesterday.

As they once again failed to take their chances, Tom Mohan’s young Ireland could have no complaints as a sublime goal from Marcus Edwards saw their journey at these Uefa U17 Championships in Bulgaria emphatically ended.

There are several positive permutations that could see Tom Mohan’s Republic of Ireland through to the quarter-finals of the Uefa U17 Championships here in Bulgaria.

Italy 2 Ireland 0: Italy taught the Republic of Ireland a harsh lesson on how to finish at the Beroe Stadium yesterday to leave Irish hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of these Uefa Under-17 Championships in Bulgaria hanging in the balance.

Uefa European U17 Championship

Ireland 0 Holland 0: It was a game they could have lost heavily; at the finish, a match they might even have won.

Seeing the Republic of Ireland name inscribed on the Uefa U17 championship trophy yesterday provided current boss Tom Mohan with added motivation as they kick off their 2015 challenge here in Bulgaria.

Tom Mohan has told his Republic of Ireland Under-17s to simply go and compete at next week’s UEFA championship finals in Bulgaria.

Ireland U17 manager Tom Mohan, who has led the squad to next month’s European finals in Bulgaria, has defended the FAI’s pursuit of English-born players eligible for the Republic.

Former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane is in advanced negotiations with the FAI about taking up a coaching role with the Ireland’s youth teams.

Armenia 0 Republic of Ireland 2

Republic of Ireland U19 international Brian Lenihan has committed his future to Cork City after agreeing a new deal that will keep him at Leeside until the end of the 2014 season.

Ireland U17 3 Azerbaijan U17 0

Republic of Ireland U17s 3 Azerbaijan 0

The first African-born player to captain Ireland, Cameroon native Noe Baba, will lead out the Under-17s tonight against Azerbaijan in his new home of Castlebar (6pm).

Giovanni Trapattoni has been handed another defensive headache with the news that Sean St Ledger is a doubt for the friendly game away to Serbia on Wednesday week.

If it’s good enough for the likes of football superstars like Robin Van Persie and Frank Lampard, then it’s good enough for Ireland’s exiled GAA players.

Kieren Fallon was glowing in his praise after Ivan Denisovich powered to an impressive victory in the TNT July Stakes at Newmaket on Wednesday.

Cork City will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the eircom Premier Division when they face an injury ravaged Longford Town at Turner’s Cross.

Longford will be without Barry Ferguson (suspended) while Stephen Paisley (calf) is a doubt for the visit of second place Derry City.