The chant echoed around the concession stands in the bowels of the Parc Olympique Lyonnais (also nicknamed Stade des Lumières) at half time.

THERE I was about to sit down to write this column when a message popped up on my Gmail account. ‘Larry’, it said.

In a bygone era, back when shorts were short and footballers’ hair was much, much longer, Poland became synonymous with the bad old days endured by Ireland’s national side.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is out of tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Germany after succumbing to an Achilles injury.

For one seen mainly as an understudy, Darren O’Dea has featured in a few big productions on the international stage.

Oh, and not forgetting nightmares too. It’s all up for grabs for ireland at Euro 2012, says football correspondent Liam Mackey

NOW this is the kind of Eurozone contagion we can all handle.

Radiation levels in spinach and milk exceed safety limits following nuclear accidents at a tsunami-stricken nuclear plant, Japan’s top government spokesman said today.

Japan’s central bank is continuing to pour cash into the banking system to calm jittery money markets as the yen shot to a record high.

IT took just minutes for the earthquake and tsunami to devastate Japan’s northeast. Rebuilding will take years — if it can be afforded.

An air of panic swept parts of Japan today as scientists continued to battle radiation leaks from earthquake-damaged reactors made worse by an explosion and fire.

One of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific ocean.

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale rocked Japan’s north-eastern coast today, unleashing a 33ft (10m) tsunami which swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

IRELAND’S win against Wales on Wednesday, welcome and encouraging though it might have been, was placed in perspective by finding itself sandwiched between two thrilling trips down memory lane on ESPN Classic.

IT would be a transfer to appeal to the romantic in every Irish football fan but Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has ruled out the possibility of a reunion with his old strike partner Robbie Keane at the Stadium of Light.

Tokyo's third international airport opened today amid criticism it is a waste of money expected to serve just a fraction of the predicted passengers.

“GIVEN the time of the year that’s in it, I suppose you’ll be wanting an oul’ look back on the decade, boss,” I said to the Commander-In-Chief, as I plumped up the pillows behind his back and spoon-fed him his favourite tipple of brandy and Complan.

A STRONG earthquake shook Japan’s capital and surrounding areas yesterday, halting trains and a professional baseball game, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 shook the Japanese capital of Tokyo and surrounding areas today.

NOW all of 85 years of age, Tomás Mac Giolla made a rare public appearance in the pages of Hot Press this week, reflecting on a colourful and controversial life in Republican and left-wing politics in Ireland.

BEST moment from Bari? Ireland’s equalising goal certainly, but running it close in the precious memory stakes was a lovely little cameo I’d witnessed earlier on the afternoon of the game.

GERMANY, playing within themselves, did just enough to get what they needed.

Robbie Keane believes the spirit of Ibaraki can tomorrow help the Republic of Ireland conjure another famous result against Germany.

STADIUM ALIGHT was the irresistible if somewhat excitable front page headline on the Sunderland Echo last Wednesday.

KEVIN KILBANE is adamant that his immediate future lies with Everton, despite an attempt by Fulham manager Chris Coleman to sign the Republic of Ireland international before the transfer deadline expires at midnight tonight.

A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.9 shook north-eastern Japan today, followed by at least three large aftershocks.

AS FOURTH seeds going into the European Championship draw, Ireland can have few complaints about their pot luck in Montreux.

Up to 77 people in Japan – most of them chicken farmworkers – may have been infected with a mild form of bird flu, health officials said today.

A THAI boy has become the 70th Asian to die of bird flu, authorities said yesterday as reports warned a flu pandemic could cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars as well as millions of lives.

Japan will cull about 19,000 chickens after detecting that they were exposed to bird flu, authorities said today.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has rocked eastern Japan, the meteorological agency said.

At 71, Otto Baric is no spring chicken, but in Euro 2004 the veteran campaigner will once more get the chance to coach a national team in a major tournament.

MILLWALL’S powerful winger, Steven Reid, is likely to be handed the opportunity of helping Ireland pole vault over Albania and into line for one of the critical top two places in the European Championship qualifying Group Ten if he comes through a fitness test tomorrow.

THEY never did walk alone. The rest of the squad had lined up shoulder to shoulder in front of the dugout while the players on the pitch gathered in the centre-circle for the penalty shoot-out.

By Mark Gallagher, Seoul

Croatia only have themselves to blame for suffering World Cup heartbreak - handing the lucky Italians a place in the knockout stages on a plate.

Croatia only have themselves to blame for suffering World Cup heartbreak - handing the lucky Italians a place in the knockout stages on a plate.

A ground-breaking international against Japan is likely to be one of the many benefits for the FAI from Ireland's World Cup adventure in Asia.

Mick McCarthy has sent his congratulations to England counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson after his team made it into the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

Robbie Keane has insisted he will put personal glory to one side if it means Ireland make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

Robbie Keane has insisted he will put personal glory to one side if it means Ireland make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

JASON McATEER has denied reports that he had a bust-up with Mick McCarthy and even threatened to go home, over his omission from the Irish team against Germany.

Mick McCarthy will resist the temptation to start with Niall Quinn tomorrow, even though it was the giant striker’s introduction in the game with Germany which helped keep the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup.