THE sun shone brightly yesterday, but it couldn’t hide the pain of a town that bid farewell to two young local men who died in a car crash on Sunday.

It’s a big week for the Champions League and soccer correspondent Liam Mackey sticks out his neck to predict the four semi-finalists.

SATURDAY night’s 1-1 draw between Roma and Milan in Rome lived up to its billing as a possible dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final.

VIEWERS of Sky Sports will know of Geoff Shreeves. He does most of the pre and post-match interviews around the key football matches.

CARLOS TEVEZ can go one better than Paolo di Canio by becoming the West Ham hero who saves the club from relegation.

TAKE a straw poll outside Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or any other Premiership stadium and the answer to the question, ‘Who should be Footballer of the Year?’ will probably prompt one of two names — Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba.

ALEX FERGUSON has confidently predicted Manchester United will book an FA Youth Cup Final meeting with north-west rivals Liverpool tonight.

SKIPPER Ryan Giggs has spelt out the winning mentality that John Toshack wants him to pass on to his evolving Wales squad.

LIVERPOOL’S new owners completed their takeover yesterday in a remarkable eight weeks.

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has criticised the Premier League and the FA for a fixture clash which robbed them of the chance to pile the pressure on new champions Manchester United.

A MAN once voted the country’s top GAA fan kicked off a campaign yesterday for Cork to twin with Sunderland.

UEFA and British police have sent a letter to touts warning they may take action to prevent Champions League final tickets being sold on for high profits.

IT’S the greening of Sunderland in reverse, with Steve Staunton naming four of the Championship-winners in his Irish squad for the friendly games in the USA later this month.

FA disciplinary chiefs will decide today whether Michael Ball should be hit with the charge of serious foul play for his stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo.

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Steve Staunton will give youth a chance when he today names his squad for a two-match tour of America.

We’re almost in the dog days of the soccer season but our contributors are still enjoying a good snarl.

APART from the weather (wet), this week’s favourite conversational gambit in Italy is: How good are Milan? Or, alternatively: How good are Inter? It all depends on who you support.

JOSE MOURINHO has promised Manchester United a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday – but pledged the new Premiership champions can expect a major battle to retain their crown next season.

ARSENE WENGER is not expecting to receive a bottle of red wine from Sir Alex Ferguson as thanks for handing Manchester United the Premiership title – but the Arsenal boss believes the Red Devils have deserved their triumph just the same.

JOSE MOURINHO will rebuild his Chelsea squad this summer and limit his trophy-winning ambitions to the Champions League and the Barclays Premiership title next term.