In his long and ultimately record-breaking career as an Ireland international, nothing quite underlined the importance with which Shay Given was viewed by his peers than the extraordinary lengths to which the management team were prepared to go in order to get him on the pitch for the European Championship finals this summer.

June 12, 1988.

Gaizka Mendieta is the man who broke Irish hearts at the the 2002 World Cup, his spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out bringing to an end a marathon battle in Suwon, South Korea.

Samsung has said a German court has ruled against it in an argument over patents with Apple.

THE cameras inside the Palace of Arts caught a rueful smile from Giovanni Trapattoni as Ireland’s European Championship destiny was unveiled in Kiev yesterday.

WHEN Michael Cusack and his band of pioneers founded the GAA in Hayes’s Hotel 127 years ago, they would never have believed how big that organisation would grow.

AIDAN WALSH was hooked from the start. From his home in Kanturk, he can reach Fitzgerald Stadium in less than an hour and, growing up, there was plenty mystique surrounding Cork and Kerry football clashes in Killarney.

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.

A spy plane crashed today during routine training and its two pilots were killed in the second military accident to strike South Korea as it hosted the G20 summit.

A South Korean couple addicted to an internet game about raising a virtual child were arrested for neglecting their real three-month-old daughter and letting her starve to death, news reports said.

The Republic of Ireland rekindled memories of their eventful trip to the 2002 World Cup finals when they very nearly claimed the scalp of reigning champions Italy on Saturday evening.

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has been left out of South Korea’s preliminary squad for the Olympic Games.

TOTTENHAM striker Robbie Keane yesterday indicated his immediate future at White Hart Lane is secure.

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has today indicated his immediate future at White Hart Lane is secure.

ASHLEY COLE, who doubted whether he could ever play for Arsenal again in the aftermath of last month’s ‘tapping-up’ inquiry, yesterday signed a one-year contract extension.

Tottenham appear to have entered the race to sign Julio Baptista after Sevilla today claimed they have received a bid of more than £13.8m (€20m) for the forward.

FIVE South Koreans found dead in a hotel room are thought to have made an internet suicide pact, police say.

KENNY CUNNINGHAM’S determination to travel with Ireland's football team to Switzerland for the critical European Championship tie came as no surprise.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND World Cup star Gary Breen has joined West Ham United on a Bosman ruling after the experienced central defender failed to agree an extension of his contract with First Division Coventry City at the end of last season.

worldcup.ie's fans' correspondent Carrie Tighe reports from Suwon on a bittersweet night for Irish football.

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink has aimed a dig at Spain ahead of their World Cup quarter-final showdown, claiming they were lucky to beat Ireland.

Raul is doubtful for Spain’s World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, while David Albelda has definitely been ruled out and may miss the rest of the tournament.

SPANISH midfielder Gaizka Mendieta went from zero to hero with his decisive spot-kick in Spain’s 3-2 World Cup penalty shootout victory over Ireland yesterday.

THE END of an era or the dawn of a new age? Cool reflection will confirm that for Ireland the epic events at Suwon’s vibrant theatre before 38,926 fans provided both a tantalising glimpse of the future and a tearful farewell to an extraordinary and memorable World Cup odyssey.

THE fans needed smelling salts and stiff drinks and fresh air and hugs for support. They shut their eyes tight, dropped their jaws wide, held their heads in agony and threw up their hands in delight.

The Republic of Ireland crashed out of the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out with Spain in Suwon.

Tension is high as Ireland prepares to take on Spain in its bid for World Cup glory.

Republic of Ireland coach Mick McCarthy insists he has no special plans to combat the threat of Spain in their second-round match in Suwon.

Irish fans were today clamouring for tickets to join the World Cup party in South Korea.

It should be no contest, the superstars from Spain against Mick McCarthy’s Irish journeymen, now shorn of their finest player.

It should be no contest, the superstars from Spain against Mick McCarthy’s Irish journeymen, now shorn of their finest player.

THE ebullient form of Ireland’s baby-faced assassins, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, is what most of all sustains Irish hopes of continuing their remarkable run against Spain tomorrow in the World Cup round of sixteen.

By Bill George

By Jim Caldwell

By Bill George, Seoul

Jason McAteer has revealed he will consider retiring from international football after this World Cup.

Shay Given not only hopes to save spot-kicks if the Republic of Ireland’s game against Spain goes to penalties, he wants to take one as well.

Spain's coach Jose Antonio Camacho has singled out the Republic of Ireland as one of the best teams in the world, saying he expected a difficult second-round game in the World Cup.

Ireland's soccer supporters are continuing to follow the Irish team to Korea.

Matt Holland and Gary Breen are the players who have impressed Mick McCarthy most in the World Cup spotlight.

Mick McCarthy has denied the Republic of Ireland have complained to Fifa about their hotel and training facilities.