Ireland soccer manager Martin O’Neill last night dismissed an incident involving Roy Keane at the team hotel as a "distraction", saying the team was "ready to go" for tonight’s Euro 2016 clash with Scotland.

The FAI and Ireland manager Martin O’Neill last night insisted Roy Keane had their "full support" following an incident at the team hotel during which there was an alleged altercation with a fan.

The European arm of an international property investment firm has agreed a new £225m (€285m) credit facility with a syndicate of three major banks.

Ranking lists always lead to vigorous debate but you can be sure Golf Digest Ireland’s “Volvo Top 100 Ranked Irish Golf Courses” will not be getting pride of place at Royal Dublin any time soon.

Robbie Keane flew in from Los Angeles to link up with the Irish squad at their Portmarnock Hotel base yesterday and, after a night of rest, will undergo careful scrutiny by the medical team this morning to determine how his pulled hamstring is recovering.

Maintaining Ireland’s reputation for food safety excellence was central to yesterday’s One Island — One Health conference in Portmarnock Hotel, Co Dublin.

Two young married men who beat up a staff nurse at Beaumont Hospital during a dispute with one of their relatives have each received 18 months in jail with the last six months suspended.

THE way people were warning him off going to Portsmouth, Liam Lawrence would hardly have been surprised to find a sign proclaiming ‘Abandon hope all ye who enter here’ greeting him at Fratton Park.

While the future of the men’s Irish Open is still under discussion the Ladies European Open have announced that the AIB Ladies Irish Open, supported by Fáilte Ireland, will return to Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links next June 26-28 with prize money increased to €500,000.

ON a human level, you had to feel for Steve Staunton on Wednesday night.

Newly-crowned League Cup winners Longford Town will find out their next opponents in the FAI Carlsberg Cup tonight when the quarter-final draw is made live on RTE One.

IRELAND’S top Olympian at the World Games, Oliver Doherty, reinforced his lead in the golf at Portmarnock Hotel and golf links with a magnificent round of 78.

Julian White could celebrate his first trip to Ireland with a call-up to replace Phil Vickery in the England side for the Six Nations championship game in Dublin.