Coventry midfielder Graham Barrett netted a first-half winner for the Republic of Ireland in tonight’s Unity Cup match against Jamaica to boost his hopes of claiming a place in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Robert Pires was today ruled out of Arsenal’s double bid and France’s attempt to retain the World Cup this summer.

Reading have signed Ivory Coast international Emerse Fae for a club record fee from Nantes.

Argentina will name their side to play Ireland at Lansdowne Road at the weekend later this morning.

An unnamed player failed a drugs test during the Rugby World Cup and has been provisionally suspended, the International Rugby Board announced.

The country is expected to come to a halt when Ireland take on Iran in the World Cup play-off at Lansdowne Road today.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has downplayed the significance of Jurgen Klinsmann’s departure as boss of Euro 2008 opponents Germany.

England’s World Cup clash against fierce rivals South Africa looks set to launch the 2007 tournament in a potential 80,000 sell-out at Stade de France.

Chelsea captain John Terry is undergoing a “precautionary scan” on his right foot after taking a knock in training today.

Shunsuke Nakamura has announced his retirement from international football following Japan’s exit from the World Cup.

Former football star David Beckham and a small team have journeyed through the jungles of Brazil for a fortnight on two wheels and by boat for a BBC documentary to be screened next month ahead of the World Cup finals.

Down with that sort of thing!

Eden Hazard believes fellow Belgium forward Kevin De Bruyne would benefit from leaving Chelsea in January to boost his World Cup hopes.

Investigators have not made any breakthroughs into the killing of Pakistan World Cup cricket coach Bob Woolmer, more than three weeks after he was found strangled to death.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan cannot see England losing tomorrow’s World Cup final against holders Australia in Sydney.

That agreement has been annulled in order to “protect the integrity of the host selection process”.

BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron flew back to Switzerland last night as England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup received a last-minute boost.

IRELAND’S World Cup opponents Argentina have proved they can compete with the best in the world after their displays against France and South Africa this month, coach Marcel Loffreda said at the weekend.

Ecuador forward Agustin Delgado is hoping to go out with a bang after announcing this is his last World Cup.