Cristiano Ronaldo got an early birthday present yesterday as the former Manchester United star was voted the greatest player to have graced the Premier League.

Spain’s 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifier win at home to Ukraine did little to suggest the once all-conquering La Roja side have got over losing their unbeatable aura at last year’s World Cup.

Given Robbie Brady’s personal experience of competitive matches at the Aviva, he’s surely due a upturn tomorrow against Poland. 

England 4 Lithuania 0 

There was a time when Liam Miller wondered if hailing from Cork would hold him back and block his path to becoming a Republic of Ireland international.

As John Terry confirmed a contract extension for another season, the Chelsea Pitch Owners hosted an evening with the Blues captain. Chelsea fan Trizia Fiorellino was there.

The greatest managers in football don’t just manage players, they manage a season — and Arsene Wenger, at last, seems to be getting this one right.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes the club may need to splash out again this summer to keep pace with their rivals.

Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 1: Alex Ferguson was king of the mind games when he ruled Old Trafford as Manchester United’s all-conquering manager and now it appears some of that psychological warfare is being added to Louis van Gaal’s armoury.

Everton 1 Southampton 0: Everton finally removed any lingering doubt that they will still be competing in the Premier League next season but the talk afterwards was as much about those not playing as the players who secured a third successive league win for the first time in a year.

Louis van Gaal says Marouane Fellaini is undroppable on current form.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers accepts his side cannot afford not to turn up in another big game if their top-four ambitions are to survive.

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has denied making any promise to join Manchester United.

HOME, 8.30am. Our house has been denuded of certain essential items.

Limerick bananas with spider eggs attached, the Sinn Féin MEP convicted of speeding, an insight into Roy Keane's management style, a maths quiz and a new Ed Sheeran song. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime

Former Sunderland player Danny Higginbotham has provided a unique insight into life under Roy Keane’s management.

Wayne Rooney knows Champions League qualification is Manchester United’s to lose, making this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa all the more important.

Man United 3 Leicester City 1: There are few at Old Trafford who yearn nostalgically for the late, lamented reign of David Moyes as Manchester United manager but the club’s young winger Adnan Januzaj would be forgiven if he were on that list.

Police in Manchester are investigating an alleged road rage incident involving assistant Republic of Ireland manager Roy Keane, after a taxi driver claimed he told the former Manchester United captain to "smile".

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