AVRAM GRANT is a man of great faith, but feels success must be earned.

LIMERICK FC are furious that plans to host a glamour friendly against La Liga giants Barcelona at Thomond Park have been scuppered by the FAI as it emerged that the Association has itself been in negotiation with the Catatlans to bring them to the new Aviva Stadium.

MANCHESTER UNITED forward Dimitar Berbatov has failed to live up to the reputation he made for himself at Tottenham, according to the Red Devils’ legendary striker Denis Law.

FRANK LAMPARD was easily the best player in the Premiership last season according to the Premier League’s official statistics.

TAL BEN-HAIM knows better than most just how dangerous Chelsea can be – but maintains Portsmouth must show “no fear” when they tackle his old team-mates in tomorrow’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

CAPTAIN John Terry will lead Chelsea out against Portsmouth at Wembley after being “scared” by an injury setback that threatened to destroy his dream of winning the double.

MANCHESTER UNITED will make a little bit of Irish sporting history when they provide the opposition, against an Airtricity League XI, for the first football match to be hosted at the new Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road on August 4.

FULHAM’S capacity to defy the odds finally deserted them in the 116th minute of the 19th and final game of their thrilling Europa League campaign.

JOHN TERRY hopes to play in the FA Cup final on Saturday after a scan showed no broken bone in his right foot.

SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn predicts limited big money deals on the transfer front this summer as some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs feel the pinch of the global economic downturn.

DIEGO FORLAN admits firing the goals that lead Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory over Fulham would provide greater satisfaction than knocking out Liverpool.

THE Red Knights have vowed not to overpay in their battle for control of Manchester United.

WAYNE ROONEY has said it.

THE France squad got some shooting practice in yesterday – but not the type they’ll be making at the World Cup finals next month.

MANCHESTER CITY last night made a £20 million (€23.2m) bid for Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner.

ALEX FERGUSON may add just one more player to his Manchester United squad this summer as he plots to regain the Barclays Premier League title from Chelsea.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) yesterday denounced Communications Minister Eamon Ryan’s proposals to ensure certain rugby games are on free-to-air television.

AIRTRICITY League of Ireland clubs have rallied behind Limerick in their battle with the FAI over the proposed friendly game against Barcelona at Thomond Park on July 31.

WHILE the war of words between Limerick FC and the FAI intensified over the weekend, fresh doubts about the viability of a Thomond Park visit for Barcelona have emerged with the news that the Catalans are still reviewing their options for pre-season training.

DARRON GIBSON was the most high-profile casualty as a decimated version of Ireland’s developmental squad gathered for the first day of their training camp in Malahide yesterday.