Martin O’Neill is ready to deal with the heat in more than one way when he sends his Republic of Ireland team into battle in a competitive match for the first time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined plans for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine yesterday but Ukraine’s prime minister dismissed the proposal, while France expressed its disapproval of Moscow’s support for separatist forces by halting delivery of a warship.

Irish golfers have captured four major championships since 2011 but in that same timeframe, eight of our best and brightest have taken the plunge into the professional ranks.

The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution to condemn the "shooting down" of a Malaysian passenger plane in Ukraine, demand armed groups allow access to the crash site, and call on states in the region to co-operate with an international investigation.

President Barack Obama will press European leaders this week to keep up the pressure on Russia over its threatening moves in Ukraine, while seeking to assuage fears from Poland and other Nato allies that the West could slip back into a business-as-usual relationship with Moscow.

Ukraine’s chief prosecutor has accused Viktor Yanukovich of heading a mafia-style syndicate whose crimes cost the former Soviet republic up to $100 billion (€72bn) and said some of the stolen money was now being used to fund Russian-backed separatists.

Russia has set out demands for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, saying the former Soviet republic should be unified in a federation allowing wide autonomy to its various regions.

Russia has set out demands for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, saying the former Soviet republic should be unified in a federation allowing wide autonomy to its various regions.

Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have asked a judge to make prosecutors turn over family-related evidence as they try to build a case that his older brother was the “main instigator” of the deadly attack.

The new Ukrainian prime minister has said that embattled Crimea must remain part of Ukraine, but may be granted more local powers.

American aid is on the way, John Kerry promised crowds in Kiev as he visited sites where more than 80 anti-government protesters were killed last month.

President Vladimir Putin delivered a robust defence of Russia’s actions in Crimea and said he would use force in Ukraine only as a last resort, easing market fears yesterday that East-West tension over the former Soviet republic could lead to war.

Because Ukraine doesn’t have full member status in Nato, the US and Europe are not obliged to help, says Julie Pace

Russia’s order for 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness near Ukraine’s border has prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in the crisis-torn nation would be a “grave mistake”.

The European Union has threatened sanctions against Ukraine following deadly violence between riot police and protesters in Kiev in which at least 25 people died and 241 were injured.

At least 13 people, including six police, were killed last night as thousands of police charged into the opposition camp in Ukraine’s capital that has been the epicentre of nearly three months of anti-government protests.

Thousands of police armed with stun grenades and water cannons have clashed with anti-government protesters in the centre of Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, and police say at least 13 people have been killed.

Beleaguered Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych says he has agreed to scrap harsh anti-protest legislation that sparked violent clashes.

New violence erupted in Ukraine’s capital during the night as a large crowd attacked a government building which had police stationed inside.

Anti-government protesters in Ukraine are claiming victory after riot police backed down from a showdown in Kiev’s main square.

Hundreds of police have stormed a protest camp in the Ukrainian capital, clashing with protesters as they tried to dismantle barricades.

Top Western diplomats headed to Kiev today to try to defuse a stand-off between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s government and thousands of demonstrators, following a night in which police in riot gear dismantled protesters’ encampments outside government buildings.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters poured into the streets of Ukraine’s capital yesterday, toppling a statue of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin and blockading key government buildings in an escalating stand-off with the president over the future of the country.

Ukraine 0 England 0

Raiders try to make way with quiche reserves

Russia is investigating an alleged vote theft at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Andriy Shevchenko has been offered the position of Ukraine head coach, the country’s football federation announced today.

Giovanni Trapattoni has hit back at Brian Kerr after the former Republic of Ireland manager launched a scathing attack on the Italian following their fortunate 2-1 win Kazakhstan.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has decided against kicking James McClean out of the squad after the Sunderland winger made a grovelling apology to his team mates for a foul-mouthed tweet.

The Republic of Ireland squad touched down in London this morning amid a fresh storm of controversy thanks to James McClean’s foul-mouthed tweet that could land him in hot water with manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Robbie Keane insists Ireland can bounce back from their poor showing in Kazakhstan last night by beating Germany in their next World Cup qualifier.

Kazakhstan are one up in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Ireland.

Robbie Keane admits it took him very little time to decide against following Damien Duff and Shay Given in to international retirement this summer.

Kazakhstan captain Kairat Nurdauletov has warned the Republic of Ireland that his team will settle for nothing less than victory in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Astana.

The bitter disappointment of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign has made the squad more determined than ever to qualify for another international tournament, according to Stoke striker Jon Walters.

Sunderland winger James McClean appears to be winning his fitness battle and will fly to Kazakhstan with the Republic of Ireland today.

The Republic of Ireland will decide today whether James McClean will play any part in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan after he had to leave training early yesterday due to illness.

Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted that Sunderland star James McClean could be handed his first competitive start for the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup qualification clash in Kazakhstan on Friday.

Giovanni Trapattoni has warned Darron Gibson that there are plenty of other midfielders queuing up to take his place in the Republic of Ireland squad should the Everton player decide to prolong his exile from the international arena.

Darron Gibson has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan after telling manager Giovanni Trapattoni he is still suffering the disappointment of Euro 2012.

Lukasz’s grasp of English was mightily impressive for a guy who has lived in Gdansk all his life.

Anna darts gleefully around the two sparsely-furnished rooms situated through an archway off a steep street that climbs up from Kiev’s Independence Square.

Scottish FA chief Stewart Regan has revealed that UEFA have put on record for the first time that they will consider bids for the European Championships from more than two countries as multiple tournament hosts.