The Faroe Islands has around 30% of the population of Donegal, but its mackerel quota is now 30% bigger than that of Ireland, said Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation chairman Martin Howley.

With the Euro Finals of 2016 expanded to 24 teams and, on top of a guaranteed place for the top two qualifiers, still another opportunity to reach France via the third-place play-offs, it’s not entirely beyond the bounds of possibility that two Irelands managed by two O’Neills could reach the promised land in two years’ time.

Striker James McClean has confirmed his intention to switch allegiance to the Republic of Ireland after claiming he is on the verge of a move to Barclays Premier League club Sunderland.