When Newcastle United won the 2006 Intertoto Cup

Staring down the barrel of relegation from the Premier League at present, that 2006 Intertoto Cup success doesn't look to shabby to Newcastle United fans right now, I imagine.

For Extratime.ie: Ruud Gullit - Ireland bought off for €5 million

Ruud Gullit has said that it was natural for fans of the Republic of Ireland to react with disappointment at the news that the FAI had been "bought off" by FIFA in the aftermath of the Thierry Henry handball incident during a World Cup play-off against France in 2009. 

For Extratime.ie: Keane feels best is yet to come from McCarthy

Roy Keane believes that James McCarthy's second half performance in the 1-1 draw with Poland in March is proof that his best is yet to come in a green shirt – but has told critics to lay-off the 24 year old.

For Extratime.ie: Top 5 Irish appearance holders in European competition

With the qualifying round draws for the 2015/16 Champions League and Europa League set to take place in UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Monday, there is a keen Irish interest in the outcome – and not just from League of Ireland supporters.

For Extratime.ie: Maloney singled out for praise by Strachan

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan singled out Shaun Maloney for special praise after the 32 year old midfielder once again proved to be a thorn in the side of the Republic of Ireland, playing a key role in helping the Scots earn a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

For Extratime.ie: McClean reveals O'Neill instruction - "Just don't get beat."

James McClean has revealed Martin O'Neill's very specific instruction on what to do differently against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this weekend following November's 1-0 defeat to the same opposition: “Just don't get beat.” 

For Extratime.ie: If pressure's a problem, you're in the wrong game

Roy Keane has insisted that the players in the Republic of Ireland squad won't buckle in the face of expectation when they take to the Aviva Stadium pitch for this weekend's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland – and added: “If pressure's a problem to you, then you're in the wrong game.” 

For Extratime.ie: Strachan insists he doesn't know how to play for a draw

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan insists he wouldn't know how to play for a draw even if he wanted to – and has said that he already knows what his starting XI will be for Saturday's massive Euro 2016 qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. 

For Extratime.ie: Brady ready to build on England performance

Martin O'Neill's experiment of converting Robbie Brady from winger to left-back at international level is set to undergo its sternest examination yet when Scotland travel to Dublin for a make or break Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday. 

For Extratime.ie: Pearce delighted to secure future ahead of Euro 2016 qualifier

Alex Pearce is delighted to have finalised where he will be playing club football next season, with Derby County’s latest signing keen now to focus on the upcoming crunch Euro 2016 Qualifier against Scotland. 

For Extratime.ie: Hodgson hopes the past stays in the past

England manager Roy Hodgson has called on England fans to behave themselves in Dublin this weekend as the Three Lions return to Lansdowne Road for the first time since February 1995 – when riots started by a hooligan element forced the abandonment of the game inside half an hour. 

For Extratime.ie: O'Neill says he and Delaeny don't talk politics

Martin O'Neill has said that he had no prior knowledge beyond what was already made public of the settlement agreement reached between the FAI and FIFA before he took the job as Republic of Ireland manager at the end of 2013 – and reiterated that he and FAI CEO John Delaney have not had any political discussions since his appointment. 

For Extratime.ie: Brady a genuine option at left-back

At the start of this long international week, Martin O'Neill spoke of the many big decisions he had to make around team selection for this Sunday's massive Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland – with Hull City winger Robbie Brady at the heart of a potentially match-changing decision. 

Cillian Sheridan: a maverick worth following

Cillian Sheridan. The man from Cavan appeared on RTÉ's Soccer Republic on Monday night to be interviewed as part of the Irish Abroad segment - and in the face of questions from Tony O'Donoghue, he just completely, almost comically, undersold the impressive nature of every one of his recent career experiences, some of which he'll be hard pushed to ever repeat again. 

For loi19.com: Paul Doolin interview

Having steered the Republic of Ireland Under-19's to the Elite Phase of the 2013/14 UEFA European Under-19 Championships, manager Paul Doolin took time out of preparation for his fourth Elite Phase to speak to loi19.com  about his side’s chances of reaching the finals in Hungary next summer; the teams standing in his side’s way of progression; the importance of making home advantage count; and the tricky question of squad selection.

For Extratime.ie: Strachan happy with ref; O'Neill not so much

Gordon Strachan said he was happy with the performance of Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli during Scotland's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, despite the official and his team missing Jonathan Walters occupying an offside position in the build-up to the home side's goal. 

For Extratime.ie: Martin O'Neill - It's important for the nation

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has not shied away from the enormity of this weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, saying: “It's important for the nation.”

Youngster Desmond looks to kick-start career following Newcastle release

Every summer, hundreds of Irish youngsters from various age groups make their way across the Irish Sea with stars in their eyes to take up contract offers from professional clubs all over England - and every year, making the return journey, are a slightly older group, their bright eyes dimmed by the rash realisation that their dreams have been dashed.

Teaandtoast.ie: Donaghmede Binn

When you’re forced to wait ten years for something, you’ll most likely build it up into some sort of ridiculous expectation which the eventual reality can never hope to match. The obvious example is the first time you have sex. For years, our teenage selves were force fed these glorified, exaggerated images of sex in movies which gave us all an unreal picture of what the event was actually like. Unless you’re a twelve year old Anthony Kiedis and you banged your dad’s 18 year-old girlfriend. Then you’re just a tank.

Drogheda Independent: Campbell helps seal Irish spot in world finals

Megan Campbell is becoming something of a talisman for the Ireland under-17s ladies side.

During the Elite Qualifiers for the recent UEFA Championship finals, the Drogheda native produced a crucial goal for Ireland in a game they had to win against Sweden, one of the strongest women's national sides in Europe.