Even on the back of a painful hiding, one game into a new campaign might seem a bit too early to be talking about crisis.

“There seems to be a feeling nobody totally understands what it’s about,” admitted Martin O’Neill ahead of this Nations League tie with Wales in Cardiff.

Ireland’s extensive injury woes, coupled with absenteeism of a more controversial kind, were always going to constitute a major talking point in the build-up to tonight’s Nations League clash against Wales.

The only time Ryan Giggs came up against Ireland as a player, he was reduced to playing a bit part in history.

Manchester City cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a routine 2-0 win at Championship side Cardiff.

Harry Arter’s Plan B when a thigh injury ruled him out of last year’s European Championships was a holiday in Marbella with a bunch of mates followed by a stint in Barcelona with his partner.

“GOL! GOL! GOL-GOL-GOL-GOL!! HAMEZ MAKLAINES!!! GOL! GOL! GOL!!!!” Which is how George Hamilton might have sounded in Cardiff had he donned a Panama hat.

Looking down half the length of the pitch towards the Irish penalty area, it was like watching film of the sun coming up over the mountains — on fast repeat.

The joys of Cardiff on a Monday night in October.

You’ll remember the bottle of gin from Friday. The hipsterish Brooklyn Gin with the hand-cracked juniper berries and freshly cut citrus peels. The seal remains unbroken.

Daryl Murphy will remember last Friday’s home game against Moldova as the night he trebled his international tally.

Chris Coleman has challenged Wales’ ‘Golden Generation’ to make more history in their pursuit of World Cup glory.

Martin O'Neill has challenged the Republic of Ireland to give skipper Seamus Coleman a World Cup incentive as he moves closer to a comeback.

The FAI have announced that that 3,000 tickets have been secured for the Republic of Ireland's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier away to Georgia in Tbilisi on September 2 and 3,500 tickets for the qualifier away to Wales in Cardiff on October 9, writes Liam Mackey.

Move over baby, there’s a new super Wessi fan in town.

The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales in March at the Aviva Stadium is officially sold out.

Gareth Bale is likely to miss Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifier with Ireland at Aviva Stadium next March as his recovery from an ankle injury is now expected to take four months.

Wales have drawn 1-1 with Serbia in their World Cup qualifying Group D match at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Gareth Bale feels Wales could have a psychological advantage over Euro 2016 quarter-final opponents Belgium after beating them in qualifying.

Wales 1 Northern Ireland 1

Wales 1 Belgium 0: Wales produced one of the best victories in their history to beat Belgium 1-0 and take a massive step towards qualifying for next summer’s European Championships.

Chris Coleman believes Wales are on the brink of “something special” and beating Belgium tonight (7.45pm, Live on Sky Sports 5) would prove it as victory would put them among the top seeds for next month’s 2018 World Cup draw.

Cardiff will revert to their traditional blue home kit with immediate effect.

Cardiff will revert to their traditional blue home kit with immediate effect.

Gareth Bale feels team unity could propel Wales all the way to the European Championship finals in France.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno his eighth signing of the summer.

Gareth Bale returned to his native Cardiff on Tuesday night as star-studded Real started the new campaign as they finished the last one – with a trophy.

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long looks set for a surprise move £12 million (€15m) to Southampton — just seven months after joining Hull City from West Brom.

Real Madrid 2 Sevilla 0

Gareth Bale wants the attention to be on securing silverware rather than any sentimental homecoming when he lines up for Real Madrid in today’s UEFA Super Cup clash against La Liga rivals Sevilla.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is ready to unleash the full might of his enviable playing resources in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash against La Liga rivals Sevilla (kick-off 7:45pm).

Captain John Terry and record goalscorer Frank Lampard were absent on what could be their final match day as Chelsea players against relegated Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The UK government is putting more pressure on football clubs to make their grounds user-friendly for disabled fans after a report discovered several were failing to cater for less able-bodied supporters.

Confusion reigns as to what action may or may not have been taken at Cardiff over the alleged leaking of team information to Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.

Cardiff 0 Crystal Palace 3

Cardiff 3 Liverpool 6

Wales 3 Iceland 1

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has launched a staunch defence of his tenure in south Wales and believes he has been portrayed unfairly as a villain.

Charlie Adam scored either side of half-time as Stoke claimed their first ever Barclays Premier League win over Manchester United.

Cardiff are still working to conclude a deal to make Ole Gunnar Solskjaer their new manager, but are confident of unveiling the Norwegian today.

Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has agreed to become manager of Cardiff, according to reports in Norway.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Malky Mackay following the Scot’s sacking as Cardiff manager.