Just under 10,000 were at Pairc Uí Chaoimh to see Saoirse Noonan add a second goal to her international tally. 

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has already weighed in, as did Leinster assistant coach Jacques Nienaber who made light of the controversy

"The time has come for me to say goodbye to this club after a four-year journey, during which I gave everything," Inzaghi said in a statement.

The tournament – designed as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup – has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season.

The author, speaker and executive coach's new book 'I Am, I Can, I Will', is available now in all good bookshops and online.

In London on Monday to firm up his switch from Liverpool to Brentford, the goalkeeper was back in situ in Abbotstown the next day for training before news of his five-year deal finally emerged.

“My grandad would’ve been a proud man tonight. He’s at every game. And my granny, this is the first time she has seen me play senior, so it was emotional, it meant a lot to me."

Ireland’s route to the next World Cup, the 2027 version in Brazil, will be shaped by the outcome of another play-off in October.

“I’ve had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol, but you are right: I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division."

Kelleher has spoken in times past of his wish to avail of regular first-team football across the water.

"America’s most ardent soccer fans are staying home because they see this for what it is: Trump turning the entire tournament into a cardboard box propped up with a stick to ensnare migrants, and FIFA eagerly abetting him in this endeavour."

"...while I may have been meticulous about what made the cut for our onboard luggage (Michael O’Leary’s airport heavies and their scales of wrath ain’t getting a penny more outta me!) I still managed to bring all that pesky emotional baggage with us..."

Chiesa admits a return to Italy is “something to think about” this summer.

Idah was motoring well in his full-time surroundings, scoring freely in their Champions League campaign, until a moment caught on video in April propelled him into the limelight for the wrong reasons.

Shamrock Rovers defender  Honohan has only worked with Heimir Hallgrímsson briefly but can already see he is a "top manager".

I don’t recall being as irate watching sport for a long time. I was on my feet in my living room, roaring expletives, taking in the end of Munster's game in Durban.

David Howard was there later that evening, too, as he marvelled at Howard’s 211-yard hold-up shot with a five-iron to the par-five 18th that set up the two-putt birdie that gave him his first amateur major.

The local authority should apologise for wasting taxpayers' money — and learn to listen to experts when considering matters beyond its own expertise, writes John Sodeau

Sasa Kolman claimed Ireland “played into our hands” in the reverse fixture.

Ireland face Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in a Nations League promotion decider on Tuesday.