There were only a couple of selection decisions Martin O’Neill needed to be convinced of last night and Kevin Long did well enough against Uruguay to show he’s capable of stepping up to the challenge of a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Galway Utd are through to the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup after a superb 120 minutes of football and victory in a penalty shoot-out at sun drenched Sligo Showgrounds.

ROBERT BRADY enjoyed a dream return to international duty as his stoppage-time goal from the penalty spot earned the Republic of Ireland a deserved victory over Austria in a gripping U21 International friendly at the Sligo Showgrounds yesterday.