IRISH goalscoring legend Niall Quinn has added his voice to those who believe that it is now time for Irish football to put the ‘Hand Of Gaul’ firmly behind it and begin to look, with confidence, to the European Championship campaign.

BARCELONA winger Lionel Messi yesterday said the Catalan giants never gave up hope of reaching the Champions League final even though Chelsea looked to have ruined their dreams at Stamford Bridge.

IT WAS billed as beauty against the beast and although Barcelona’s beautiful football was rewarded in the end it will be remembered as much for the ugly side of Didier Drogba.

EVERGREEN Limerick captain Mark Foley was honest to a fault at the final whistle.

A GOLDEN chance that slipped them by or further proof of their ability to test the best?

BRIAN Cowen tried to play down the infection as just a touch of whine flu because the last thing he needs is it exploding into an epidemic of dissent, threatening his Government’s already frail health.

IN a far-sighted new initiative, the IRFU are bringing the international game to Tallaght for the first time tonight when Michael Bradley’s Ireland A team take on their Argentine counterparts, known as the Jaguares, at the recently opened stadium, better known as the home of Shamrock Rovers.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

FIVE points, four tries scored, none conceded. What’s not to like?

EMMANUEL Adebayor acknowledged the heavens in remembrance after scoring for the first time since the gun attack in Angola that left him fearing for his life.

WALES star Lee Byrne and the Ospreys have been hit with misconduct complaints following last Saturday’s ‘16th player’ saga.

AS Tommy Walsh departs for the life of a professional athlete with Aussie Rules outfit St Kilda, Brendan Murphy’s re-integration into the GAA is continuing apace with Rathvilly taking on Clara in the AIB Leinster club championship tomorrow.

NEWCASTLE climbed back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship last night but needed a lucky own goal from Sheffield United skipper Chris Morgan to do so.

A SENIOR Croke Park official last night admitted that “health and safety is not taken as seriously in GAA as it should be”.

SINGING the blues never sounded so good.

GO UP to Cork Airport, or roll out the road to Shannon today, or tomorrow morning, and you’ll clock them immediately in the queues.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS claims Celtic are a better team than Rangers – and insists the Ibrox side will be undeserving champions if they clinch the title against Dundee United on Sunday.

JIMMY Barry-Murphy’s late father, John Barry, or John B as he was affectionately known in his club St Finbarr’s, had a saying when describing heavy defeats suffered by his club: “They were too numerous for us.”

FOR homegrown footballers such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher hearing the Liverpool fans singing deliriously after the weekend’s late, late win against Fulham must have been inspiring.

DERMOT EARLEY will be given until right before throw-in to prove his fitness for Kildare’s All-Ireland semi-final with Down on Sunday.