SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane is to spurn a trip to Scotland for tomorrow’s Old Firm derby in favour of watching Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens in Coventry.

It is all but impossible to imagine how Dublin football manager Jim Gavin’s successor might emulate his record five-in-in-a-row All Ireland titles.

Bolton have signed Ivory Coast defender Abdoulaye Meite from Marseille, subject to a medical and receiving international clearance.

Former Wasps and Ireland boss Warren Gatland has hinted he is interested in taking over as coach of Auckland Blues.

France captain Fabien Pelous has been cited for allegedly elbowing Australia hooker Brendan Cannon during his side’s 26-16 win.

Everton boss David Moyes has pleaded with Australia coach Guus Hiddink not to use Tim Cahill in Sunday’s friendly against Jamaica at Craven Cottage.

Alan Curbishley insists speculation linking him with the England job will have no impact on the way he operates at Charlton.

Ryder Cup star Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn and Colombian sensation Camilo Villegas are the latest players to commit to playing in the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai next month.

Justin Rose is to rejoin the European tour in the hope of making a Ryder Cup debut in Ireland next September.

Paul Casey might appear like a lamb to the slaughter entering the US Open at Pinehurst today.

El-Hadji Diouf was facing magistrates today over an alleged spitting incident involving rival fans.

The threat to the future of the Northern Ireland Events Company has been lifted, it was revealed today.

Brian Kerr believes the Republic of Ireland can go into the “hot” atmosphere of the Amsterdam Arena to face Holland on Saturday with plenty of confidence from their recent end-of-season friendlies.

Ireland face Romania at Wembley Stadium tomorrow keen to wrestle control of Pool D at the World Cup with their second straight win.

Fabio Capello tonight called time on David Beckham’s international career.

UEFA president Michel Platini has insisted the BBC Panorama programme screened last night should not affect England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

THE celebratory song has suddenly turned into a funeral dirge: it’s not coming home, it’s not coming home, football’s not coming home…

ULSTER centre Jonathan Bell has been forced to withdraw from the party flying out today for Ireland’s warm-weather training camp in Bilbao.

Ireland captain Rory Best has backed Andy Farrell to thrive as Ireland head coach, when he replaces Joe Schmidt after next year’s World Cup.