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: Yadolahi confirms Drogheda United departure

Neil Yadolahi has opted to leave Drogheda United during the summer transfer window in order to pursue options outside of Ireland, where the Dubliner has spent the bulk of his short career to date. 

For Extratime.ie: Heary denies stepping down as Sligo Rovers manager

In the latest twist in the Sligo Rovers-Owen Heary saga, the Bit O'Red released a statement on Friday evening officially confirming that the Dubliner had “stepped down” as manager – only for Heary to refute that live on Setanta Sports by responding: “I never stepped down. They sacked me.”

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. 

Blackpool renew AWOL striker's contract

Player goes AWOL for six months, gets handed a new deal. Tangerine logic.

Went out for a friend's birthday, ended up in a burlesque show.

You couldn't make it up, really. My friend Steo Moran was celebrating his quarter-of-a-century birthday on Saturday night (not half-century, as his mother Carol mistakenly thought), so we went to the Sugar Club venue on Lower Leeson Street to see a show by The Burlesque & Cabaret Social Club.

For Extratime.ie: Yadolahi eager for return to action with Drogs

Neil Yadolahi may only be 21, but the Drogheda United defender has already played professional football in England, Scotland, Ireland, Turkey and Armenia – coming through a number of trying personal experiences one would normally associate with a player at the end of their career as opposed to one at the beginning.