Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington made two changes for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Windsor Park.

Giovanni Trapattoni is looking forward to the Cyprus game and has said the World Cup Qualifier will pose a different problem for his team.

The Republic of Ireland squad fly out to Nicosia later on today in advance of Saturday's World Cup qualifier meeting with Cyprus.

Scotland striker Kenny Miller has been passed fit to travel to Iceland for their World Cup qualifying clash in Reykjavik but James Morrison has pulled out of the squad.

Irish coach Declan Kidney says he fears his side will be targeted by lesser nations after being drawn alongside Australia at the 2011 World Cup.

Australia 52 Fiji 0

Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino will go ahead tonight after the rain relented in Rimini.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to name his team today for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park.

Ireland have fallen down the leaderboard at the World Cup in Japan after carding a level-par second round this morning.

Republic of Ireland football manager Mick McCarthy has called up Kenny Cunningham for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

Anastacia says she is not interested in sport.

FAI general secretary Brendan Menton will meet FIFA officials in Prague later this week to clarify the situation surrounding Ireland’s World Cup play-off.

Jason McAteer, the hero of Ireland’s 1-0 win over Holland in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, has been dropped from the Blackburn team to face Ipswich on Sunday.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was last night named Phillips Sports Manager of the year after leading Ireland to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea next year.

Roy Keane has completed a full training session with the Ireland squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifying match with Iran.

SHANE JENNINGS is on track to feature in Ireland’s first World Cup warm-up game against Scotland in early August despite breaking his arm against Munster late last month.

THOUGH it is wrong that Eugene Terreblanche was murdered it is not surprising. He represented a view long unacceptable and his tacit approval of racial violence was bound to end in tragedy though he may never have imagined that the tragedy would be his.

As the build-up to Saturday's World Cup final continues, our columnist Donal Lenihan is making the most of his remaining time in Japan.