Ireland could take part in a reciprocal tour programme with Jamaica after the two associations held talks.

Police in the North have released a 45-year-old man arrested earlier this week in connection with the murder of six men at a pub in Co Down 14 years ago.

Ian Poulter is to wait another two weeks before making his comeback from eye surgery.

John Gregory has confirmed his interest in signing Parma's French international Johan Micoud.

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld insists that Manchester United target Bixente Lizarazu will not be leaving the Champions League winners.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has told his Irish counterpart, Mick McCarthy, that midfielder Roy Keane will be out of action for 21 days because of a knee injury.

Italian Serie A side AC Parma have named Arrigo Sacchi as the team's new coach, according to Italian news reports.

Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp is to stay at Highbury for the next two years.

Diego Maradona has revealed he wants to manage a Premiership club.

Irish eyes remain firmly focused on continuing preparations for the upcoming UEFA European Championships, with FAI chief executive, John Delaney, due to visit the squad’s pre-tournament training base of Montecatini in Italy tomorrow.

FORMER Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan admits he is “waiting for the phone to ring” in his bid to return to rugby management.

Another act in a great summer of sport has begun and if Giovanni Trapattoni’s team can capture our affections like Jack Charleton’s panel did all of those years ago, then the mood of the nation will surely lift.

NORTHAMPTON have dropped winger Chris Ashton amid rumours of a training ground row with director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

THE country needs a fillip but who would have thought it would come from cricket. Hats off to an Irish team that yesterday overcame England in one of the greatest one-day innings ever seen.

STEVE BRUCE has revealed he attempted to persuade David Beckham to join Sunderland on loan last season.

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to appeal to Serbia fans for calm as they rioted during his side’s embarrassing 1-0 friendly defeat by New Zealand in Klagenfurt on Saturday night.

ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona is keen to sign a new contract – so long as he is allowed to retain his entire backroom staff.

NELSON Mandela’s grandchildren were held up by gunmen following the South African leader’s 92nd birthday party, it emerged yesterday.

RYAN GIGGS maintains he is still hungry for success - and refuses to accept Chelsea have left Manchester United behind in English football’s power battle.

FAI chief executive John Delaney identified Croke Park as the Association’s first choice alternative venue while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.