Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is confident coach Jose Mourinho will not be tempted into taking over as Portugal boss on a temporary basis.

Garfunkels and Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group today said it had halted a slide in sales after a hit from the volcanic ash crisis and slower trade during the World Cup.

Former Australia great Mark Ella has warned the current side not too excited about their World Cup prospects despite a record win over France at the weekend.

Aiden McGeady handed the Republic of Ireland a major boost when he was declared fit for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the potential Republic of Ireland playoff rival's final World Cup qualifier against Malta on Wednesday due to a right ankle injury.

The Republic of Ireland will start their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough double-header later this year.

Argentina’s stand-in captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has demanded his Pumas end their European tour on a triumphant note against Ireland tomorrow.

The Scottish Football Association have confirmed they will ask the Scottish Premier League to consider moving fixtures at the start of next season in a bid to help the national team prepare for their World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Jason McAteer has spoken of the lingering tension between himself and Roy Keane.

Jack Charlton believes that guiding the Republic of Ireland into the knock-out stages of Euro 2012 would be an achievement to rank alongside Giovanni Trapattoni’s greatest in a distinguished career.

Donal Lenihan today calls for a radical overhaul of the way Irish rugby is run as the game moves into its next phase, 18 years after the advent of professionalism.

MUNSTER assistant coach Anthony Foley has described the knee injury to veteran international flanker David Wallace as ‘a personal tragedy.’

QUADE COOPER may be viewed as public enemy number one in New Zealand but the Australia fly-half insists he is still enjoying the World Cup.

SPONSORS are standing by Thierry Henry after his blatant handball dashed Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.

PADDY POWER enjoyed a strong return to growth during the first half of the year, with pre-tax profits up by 54% on the same period last year and earnings per share rising by 31%.

GAA chiefs yesterday announced television viewer figures have increased for the first three months of this year’s All-Ireland championships, despite the competing attraction of the World Cup during June and July.