AFTER experiencing Heaven and Hell in Croke Park on Saturday, Irish football now finds itself in Limbo. (Ask your granddad).

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

IF Fabio Capello’s reign as England manager had gone disconcertingly smoothly for the best part of two years, Saturday’s jolt in Ukraine was a throwback to bumpier times.

THE France-based Chelsea scout at the centre of the Gael Kakuta affair has broken his silence on the controversy and insisted French clubs are willing participants in the transfer of their best talents abroad.

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez will warn his players to be on their guard against a fallen giant who used to be one of their biggest rivals.

MICHAEL OWEN is in no doubt Manchester City will be among the leading lights in the Barclays Premier League this season.

A WHO’S Who of football came together yesterday to give thanks for the life of one of the game’s best-loved figures.

ARSENAL forward Robin van Persie is relieved Thomas Vermaelen is on his side now after getting rough treatment and falling out with the Belgian centre-back two years ago.

MICHAEL OWEN’S injury-time winner for Manchester United may well have been yesterday’s iconic picture of the day but Didier Drogba being carried off during Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over Tottenham could have even bigger implications for the title race.

ANY lingering hopes that Stephen Ireland may yet return to the international arena appear to have been ended after the Manchester City star hit out at Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni over the weekend.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger yesterday moved to draw a line under the Emmanuel Adebayor saga – insisting as a manager you “expect nothing back” in return for your hard work.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes admits he finds it “amusing” that his club are getting under the skin of Alex Ferguson.

MANCHESTER CITY may have spent £120 million (€132.5m) on new players — but Alex Ferguson will always regard Liverpool as Manchester United’s true local rivals.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Chelsea are on the same level as Manchester United despite Harry Redknapp’s dig at the Blues ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp insists it is impossible for his team to “park the bus” at Stamford Bridge and play for a point.

AND so the last Sunday in September is almost upon us and there’s just a nerve-tingling 24 hours to go to one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, as two ancient rivals and neighbours prepare to renew battle in the presence of a massive crowd and with millions more tuning in on television all over the world.

MANCHESTER CITY face a striker crisis for Sunday’s derby with Manchester United after the FA yesterday confirmed an immediate three-match ban for Emmanuel Adebayor.

CHELSEA yesterday named Ron Gourlay as their new chief executive.

FERNANDO TORRES is sure the English top flight is still the world’s greatest league – and is determined to help Liverpool become its champions once again.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR will miss the Manchester derby after not appealing the violent conduct charge lodged against him by the Football Association.