Ireland bow out early after own goal
Thu, May 8, 2008Rep of Ireland 0 Switzerland 1 BEATEN BY a goal in stoppage time in their opening game against France, cruel fate continued to haunt the Republic of Ireland as they lost to an own goal to bow out of the tournament with a game still to play. p
Capello faces more legal troubles
Thu, May 8, 2008FABIO CAPELLO’S legal problems in Italy deepened yesterday when it emerged he was formally under investigation on suspicion of withholding evidence from a court of law. The development means the England coach is now the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings in his homeland. He was already being investigated by prosecutors in Turin on suspicion of tax fraud – an accusation he denies. p
Own-goal agony for Ireland's U-17s
Wed, May 7, 2008Gavin Gunning scored an own-goal to give Switzerland a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland UEFA Championship U-17 finals in Turkey this afternoon.
Scolari spokesman denies City approach
Wed, May 7, 2008Luiz Felipe Scolari's spokesman has denied that the Portugal coach has received an offer from Manchester City to become manager of the Barclays Premier League side next season.
Blatter moves against big-club dominance
Wed, May 7, 2008FIFA president Sepp Blatter has sparked controversy by claiming that the dominance of English clubs in the Champions League shows the need for quotas to limit the number of foreign players in domestic leagues.
Clifford keeps goal in sight as Ireland target vital victory
Wed, May 7, 2008Rep of Ireland v Switzerland CURRENTLY STUDYING Frank Lampard as part of his footballing education at Chelsea, Ireland captain Conor Clifford is keen to emulate the England star's goalscoring exploits and finally strike his first goal for his country against Switzerland today. p
FA sets semi-final target for Capello
Tue, May 6, 2008England manager Fabio Capello has been a set a minimum target of taking the team to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup or Euro 2012 in an FA a review published today.
Trapattoni 'confident' of Ireland's return
Tue, May 6, 2008Giovanni Trapattoni remains hopeful that Stephen Ireland, Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien will figure in his plans for the future after meeting the three players today.
Carr to be released by Newcastle
Tue, May 6, 2008Former Republic of Ireland fullback Stephen Carr is to be released by Newcastle United at the end of the season.
Caffrey calls for more composure
Tue, May 6, 2008Republic of Ireland under-17 manager Sean Caffrey has called for calm and composure within his young squad ahead of tomorrow night's European Championship game against Switzerland in Antalya, Turkey.
Giovanni conquers by telling it like it is
Fri, May 2, 2008HE CAME, he spoke, he conquered. After a long and epic drumroll, which included the lingering death of an English league season which held so little hope for Irish players, Giovanni Trapattoni stood among us yesterday, a messiah in Armani, and to the extent that we followed what he was saying he spoke a good game. p
New man wants players to trust him
Fri, May 2, 2008
SOCCER GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI MEETS THE PRESS: DEAN KIELY has become the first of the Republic international retirees to answer Giovanni Trapattoni's call and make himself available again, but the veteran Italian is hoping more will follow over the coming weeks as meetings with the likes of Stephen Ireland, Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien are scheduled. p
Ireland for Ireland? Trapattoni’s view
Fri, May 2, 2008
THE IMPACT made by Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland during his first year in senior competitive football suggests that of all the players Giovanni Trapattoni is trying to woo back into the Ireland fold, the 21-year-old from Cobh is the most important, reports Emmet Malone. p
Trapattoni assumes control
Thu, May 1, 2008Trapattoni Press Conference : There was plenty of bonhomie and backslapping as Giovanni Trapattoni was introduced to an expectant media at the RDS in Dublin this afternoon.
Trapattoni prepares to meet the press
Thu, May 1, 2008The Irish media will gather in the RDS this lunchtime to be formally introduced to new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Fenlon relieved to find common ground with new regime
Thu, May 1, 2008UNDER-23 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE TROPHY: WITH GIOVANNI Trapattoni set to be unveiled to the Irish public at large today, the Ireland Under-23 manager Pat Fenlon expressed his delight following a private meeting with the incoming management team yesterday morning prior to the announcement of his League of Ireland-based squad for Tuesday week's visit to play Northern Ireland in the International Challenge Trophy. p
Fenlon names under-23 squad
Wed, Apr 30, 2008Republic of Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has drafted four new faces into his 20-man squad to face Northern Ireland in Lurgan on May 13th.
Game on as Trapattoni faces press this week
Tue, Apr 29, 2008ON SOCCER: Most of the media here will give new coach Giovanni Trapattoni time to find his feet p
Full-strength sides rev up for full-on Anfield collision
Mon, Apr 21, 2008SOCCER/Liverpool v Chelsea: LIVERPOOL AND Chelsea are likely to collide at near full strength in tomorrow's potentially explosive first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Steven Gerrard is expected to shrug off a neck injury to feature for the hosts and, crucially, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba all took part in training yesterday. p
Envoy says South Africa is ready
Sat, Apr 19, 2008HAVING ARRIVED in town during one of those rare weeks when the issue of violence at a soccer match in Dublin hit the headlines, Edward Griffiths could have been forgiven yesterday had he taken pleasure from the way events at Inchicore were treated by some of the papers here. p
Kidnapping attempt kept Cruyff away from 1978 World Cup
Thu, Apr 17, 2008FOR THREE decades, it has been one of the most enduring mysteries in world football. Why did Johan Cruyff, widely regarded as one of the three greatest players ever, decide that he would not play for Holland in the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina? The Dutch did reach the final - despite being beaten by Scotland in the group stages - but lost 3-1 to the hosts, and many blamed Cruyff's absence for their failure to lift the trophy. p
Ireland likely to have to wait on Given
Wed, Apr 16, 2008
SOCCER: FAI OFFICIALS are likely to make contact with Newcastle United over the coming days in order to clarify whether Shay Given will be available to travel to Portugal with the Irish squad in the wake of confirmation from Kevin Keegan yesterday that the goalkeeper will not play for the club again this season. p
Keegan rules Given out for season
Tue, Apr 15, 2008Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has ruled out goalkeeper Shay Given for the rest of the domestic season and it remains to be seen how much of a role he will play in a busy upcoming period for the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland's return to Irish squad in doubt
Sat, Apr 12, 2008STEPHEN IRELAND'S anticipated return to the Republic of Ireland set-up for the training camp in Portugal next month and the friendly internationals against Serbia and Colombia is in serious doubt with the 21-year-old player said to be considering retiring from international football on a permanent basis. p
Doyle looking for innovation
Thu, Apr 10, 2008NEWS: KEVIN DOYLE conceded yesterday the Ireland players must learn how to be more adaptable if they are improve on their recent record in qualifying campaigns and make it to South Africa in 2010. p
Old friends sing praises of new man
Wed, Apr 9, 2008ROUND-UP INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: THE FRIENDSHIP between Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady has endured for more than a quarter of a century and to judge by their first engagement with the media since being appointed joint assistants to Giovanni Trapattoni, the high regard in which they hold their former Juventus boss is still something on which they agree. p
Coming together to make history
Tue, Apr 1, 2008FEATURE: An All-Ireland team seemed improbable during the Troubles, but it became reality, writes Gavin Cummiskey p
FAI's bid for 2011 Uefa Cup final put on hold
Sat, Mar 29, 2008SOCCER: THE FATE of the FAI's bid to have the 2011 Uefa Cup final staged at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road will not now be known until later in the year following a decision by European football's governing body to postpone a decision on the venues for that year's club finals. p
Capello sees role for Beckham
Fri, Mar 28, 2008INTERNATIONAL NEWS : FABIO CAPELLO is intent on extending David Beckham's international career beyond 100 caps but retains serious doubts as to what role Michael Owen will play under his regime. p
Capello has little cause for cheer
Thu, Mar 27, 2008
SOCCER International Friendly/France1 England 0: "ENGLAND TILL I die," sang the visiting support as the night wore on. Fabio Capello will be glad to hear it because this was the sort of friendly that would have lesser men deserting. David Beckham duly made his 100th appearance, but the side was tame in defeat and the victors held a near-monopoly on excitement, especially when Nicolas Anelka was in possession. p
Healy on goal trail for both sides
Thu, Mar 27, 2008N Ireland 4 Georgia ... 1: DAVID HEALY scored for both sides as Northern Ireland's first-half blitz proved enough to see off the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying group eight opponents Georgia at Windsor Park last night. p
Burley does not suffer from withdrawal symptoms
Thu, Mar 27, 2008Scotland 1 Croatia1: IT RAINED in Glasgow and the Croatians were in town but there was no brolly for George Burley, just a debut as Scotland manager that produced what Steve McClaren never came close to achieving; a comfortable draw against Slaven Bilic's highly-rated team. p
