Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane commit to Irish cause

Martin O’Neill has never been one to decide today what can wait until tomorrow, but the Republic of Ireland manager has stretched that tendency to procrastinate to spectacular lengths as the European Championship looms into view.

Uefa’s deadline for squad lists was less than an hour away when he finally emailed his 23-man list from Turner’s Cross last Tuesday week and, with the team departing today for France, news dropped yesterday evening that the Derryman was staying on through to 2018.

Talk about last minute.