EVERYBODY we meet this past couple of days is interested in either a) getting to San Sebastian for Munster v Biarritz in one of the Heineken Cup semi-finals or b) getting to Toulouse for Leinster v Toulouse in the other semi-final.

THE arrival of Roberto Mancini at Manchester City may have unanticipated benefits for the man who sits in the other main Premier League hot seat – Carlo Ancelotti is now no longer the Italian new boy talking pidgin English who has to deliver silverware to an impatient owner. Or else.

MANCHESTER UNITED could find themselves facing Cristiano Ronaldo and his fellow Real Madrid galacticos when the draw for the Champions League group stage takes place in Monaco today.

THERE has been enough chat about D-Days in domestic football in recent weeks so it comes as something of a relief to be able to talk about Dunmanway’s day in the football limelight.

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. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you. We’ll be offering a free sports prize to the star contribution each week.

LIVERPOOL’S Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina has become the latest player to commit his long term future to the club.

I’M BEGINNING to think that I’m deluded in believing that Chelsea continue to have patience and faith in Jose Mourinho as their manager.

REAL MADRID director of sport, Jorge Valdano, has flatly denied the club will be listening to offers for David Beckham or Ronaldo.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez today denied his side were interested in signing Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

CAMEROON, winners of the last two African Nations Cups, were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by outsiders Algeria as they began the defence of their crown yesterday.