Ireland (National Football)

Loeb and Citroen are ready for the WRC Rally Ireland

World Rally Championship action resumes in Ireland after a short, seven-week winter break at the end of January. Having harvested 11 wins from 15 rounds plus both world crowns which marked its 2008 campaign, 2009 sees Citroën back to defend its two titles in 2009. The Citroën Total World Rally Team C4 WRCs will again be in the hands of five-time World Champions Sébastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena along with their teammates Dani Sordo and Marc Marti.

Kicking off the 2009 championship is the Rally Ireland, which first counted towards the WRC in 2007. The region's fast yet narrow stages are famed for being very bumpy, but the terrain clearly suits the Citroën C4 WRC, since Loeb and Sordo came first and second on the 2007 event.

Sébastien Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena, who won the Rally Ireland in 2007, are glad to be contesting the event once again. "The first time we came here, the conditions were rather delicate, but everything went well for us and the result proved decisive in our bid to win a fourth world title," recalls Loeb. "This year's championship kicks off with four rounds that weren't on last year's calendar, but they are not new territory because we did them all in 2007. And our objective hasn't changed either:  After notching up five consecutive world titles, we are obviously aiming for a sixth crown! It's going to be an interesting season and I expect it to be very close. Mikko Hirvonen is improving all the time, while Jari-Matti Latvala has really come on, too. There are the other C4 WRC drivers as well, of course, starting with my own team-mate, Dani, and also Chris Atkinson."

The Frenchman, who has scored 47 world class wins in the course of his career, expects the conditions to be particularly tricky in Ireland: "The event has everything it takes to be a tough rally. Pre-event testing has enabled us to optimize the stability of our C4 WRC. Dani feels the same way, but it's only on the stages that we will really be able to see how effective our work has been."

Even so, the Citroën Total WRT goes into this year's encounter in the knowledge that nothing can be taken for granted. Didier Clément, the Operations Manager in charge of the C4 WRCs on events, underlines the two key features of this season's curtain-raiser: "First of all, we will need to keep a close eye on the weather which promises to be variable and wet! And with temperatures potentially close to freezing point, ice, and snow cannot be ruled out either. The main new parameter concerns the Pirelli tires we will have for this unique situation, since crews will be able to choose between two products, the soft compound P Zero patterned tire and the non-studded Sotto Zero snow tire. A test session in Ireland enabled us to fine-tune the C4 WRC's set-up and also evaluate the performance of both types of tire in the different conditions we are likely to encounter. We have prepared well, but nothing can ever replace actually competing to find out where you really stand."

Although the Citroën C4 WRCs don't feature any major technical evolutions, a new enhanced safety system have been introduced. "The doors are now filled with high density foam aimed at absorbing impact energy in an accident. As a result, it is not possible to open the side windows which are now made from polycarbonate. This step forward was possible thanks to close collaboration between the FIA and the manufacturers," explains Didier Clément,

Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, today named his squad for the crucial up coming qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park.

Serious rumours throughout the week suggested that Manchester City star midfielder Stephen Ireland was about to make a return for the boys in green.

Ireland has not lined out for his national side since the "Grannygate" affair when he claimed both of his grandmothers had died in order to leave international duty and return to his girlfriend who had suffered a miscarriage.

Since then Ireland has claimed he was bullied by fellow Irish team members over his supposed hair transplant and has refused to return to the international line-up.

However, a new Stephen Ireland has emerged this season for the Eastlands club. While throughout the summer all the talk was of the City takeover and arrival of Robinho, Ireland returned to training early and his effort has paid off with the Irishman being one of City's shining lights.

Certain talk from both camps suggested that Ireland would be included in the 25-man squad named today by the Republic's Italian manager.

Sadly, Ireland's name was once again not to be found on the Irish team sheet.

Another name also omitted from the list is Sunderland's Andy Reid.

Reid has yet to play a single second under Trapattoni despite the calls for his inclusion from Irish fans and media alike.

While Reid has fallen out of favour at the Stadium of Light in recent weeks, he is one of the better passers of the ball available to the Irish set-up and in an interview with an Irish tabloid claimed he would pay to play for his country.

It appears two things are preventing Andy Reid for lining out for Ireland. First off, Trapattoni is stubborn in sticking to his "schema", and with Steven Reid out injured it is one that is benefiting Stoke's Glenn Whelan and Manchester United's Darren Gibson.

Secondly, Trappatoni is a man that doesn't suffer fools easily. Andy Reid's refusal to stop a sing song in a hotel in Germany seems to have rubbed the Irish manager up the wrong way and it'll seem highly unlikely that Andy Reid will feature in any of the Italian's future plans.

The squad named by Trapattoni is as follows:

Goalkeepers

Shay Given
Dean Kiely
Keiren Westwood

Defenders

Alex Bruce
Damien Delaney
John O'Shea
Kevin Foley
Paul McShane
Richard Dunne
Stephen Kelly
Steve Finnan
Kevin Kilbane

Midfielders

Aiden McGeady
Damien Duff
Darron Gibson
Glenn Whelan
Keith Andrews
Liam Miller
Stephen Hunt
Andy Keogh

Forwards

Caleb Folan
Kevin Doyle
Robbie Keane
Shane Long
Noel Hunt

Republic of Ireland play Georgia on 11 February at Croke Park.

A bit of actual news reporting for you here! Your faithful correspondent was up at the crack of dawn today to try and snare a couple of the last few cheap seats for Scotland’s Six Nations Clash with Ireland.

By the end of the waiting process the following was clear: no “cheap” ie £30 pairs of tickets left anywhere in the stadium, let alone four! However due to some cunning use of the “back” button (that “nearby seat finder” thing is rubbish) and randomly adding single tickets to the basket, I eventually managed to get hold of two close to each other separated only by a couple of rows in a glorious and hopeflly dry corner of the lower North Stand.

This means that at least one match this Six Nations will have full Scottish Rugby Blog coverage. But probably not this particular one, as we’ll have been in the pub all day. Furthermore the SRU website reports that 4,500 tickets were sold in the first hour this morning.

Reportedly first in the queue for tickets in person was a young man unwilling to reveal his identity to the SRU press office as he’d taken a sickie off work to grab the tickets. As usual no tickets are on sale on match day, so get yours now—a sensible enough policy for the big matches which usually sell out anyway but for the Autumn Ints and Italy, it’s a bit silly. They could probably pick up a few extra quid and lord knows they need it.

Once those cheapest seats are all gone it’s the “luxury” of the West Stand… Tickets are also still available for Scotland vs Wales and Scotland vs Italy. You can also try our advertiser links in the top right as well so no excuse (other than impending global financial catastrophe) for not supporting the boys.

Why Ireland, you ask? Well, because we might beat them, I’d reply. And I’ve been at the last two home Calcutta Cups not to mention a couple of stiffings by the All Blacks and I’d quite like to see something fun in a full stadium. Okay beating England was fun, but hardly a rugby spectacle. Whether this wish will be fulfilled by the men in green from across the sea is another matter.

Still, the craic will be good.

After leaving Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, the next move for Michael Collins and Conor McCormack was going to be a deciding one. And after receiving a number of offers from clubs in England, Scotland, Sweden, Ireland, and scholarships to America, the two lads have decided to turn them all down and opt for a move to Serie B team Triestina.

The two lads are Ireland's first exports to Italy in eight years, since Robbie Keane's short lived move to Inter Milan. As Keane moved to Anfield from Tottenham Hotspur this summer Michael Collins moved out.

The move to Italy for Collins came around after he had been released by Liverpool. Initially he came home and was on the verge of signing for Irish champions Bohemians, before offers from Falkirk, Leeds, Enkoping, and Triestina presented themselves.

Following a meeting with an agent, Collins opted for Triestina.

McCormack's story is a similar one, but with one major difference. The Irish U-17 player of the year turned down an extension to his contract at Old Trafford.

Conor has previously captained Ireland at various under-age levels, and is currently an integral part of Sean McCaffrey's much heralded U-19 team.

And he seems to be clearly enjoying life on the Adriatic coast: "It's grand. I'm enjoying it very much. I have a lot of freedom and independence," before saying: "It's raining just like back home."

The weather is similar to what he is accustomed to in winter but much different in summer, "hot, like the south of Spain".

He finds the whole experience agreeable, most important that he is playing week in, week out "where I want, in the centre of midfield".

Life in Trieste takes a more laid back approach than that of Manchester and Liverpool, and both youngsters appear to have settled well. Their day couldn't be more different though.

All reserve and youth players are expected to report for duty at 13.30 every day. From there they are brought to watch the first team train and are given a tactical training session as they watch the pros.

Then it's lunch where the entire club dine together, first team players, reserves and youth team players are all encouraged to mix and get to know one another over a small meal before it's back out to the training ground for everyone.

The first team are brought to a separate part of the training ground for a second afternoon session while youth and reserves train together.

Collins appears to have come on a level since his move from Liverpool, and he cites the different training regime as being vital to his improvement. At Liverpool there are almost 60 players involved with the first team and the reserves so it is incredibly hard for youth players to catch the eye.

In Trieste, the club is much smaller so their ambitions and approach to the game foster this group approach.

Their afternoon training session runs from 15.00 to 17.30 or 18.00 after that the entire club meets in a local restaurant for dinner, and then they have the evenings free. The Irish duo are leaning Italian too, so while the rest of the reserves are free to do what they will in the evenings, Conor and Michael go to night classes for another three hours.

Living in an apartment complex that is owned by the club (five minutes from the ground) the lads often socialise with first team and youth team players alike. And Uruguayan Mateo Figoli has taken the lads under his wing as they settle in Trieste.

Since the move to Italy, Collins has fallen down the pecking order in the International stakes. He was part of the team that played against Ukraine, Portugal, and Spain in the inaugural tournament that was created by the four federations, but he has not received a call since.

With the upcoming qualifiers, he hopes to regain his place in the squad. McCormack also hopes to regain his spot, as he missed out on the last match after damaging ankle ligaments.

Both have settled in Trieste very well, they have taken to the culture and the Italian game suits their technical style better. They have both improved as players since their move, and as they face the new year after spending Christmas in Italy for the first time, they hope it won't be their last.

Their contracts were initially for one year, and they come to a close in June, with both players optimistic of winning an extension to their contracts. FN Sports Management reported on their site, that they had been given contracts after impressing so far, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Reserve team coach, Angelo Orlando, is optimistic for their future, and the ex-Inter Milan player has seen the duo fast tracked from youth team to reserve team in little over six months. McCormack, a skilful central midfielder has particularly caught the eye, and has often trained with the first team.

Speaking about Orlando, Collins said: "He's been great to us, he was supposedly a really great player in his day, so he's a really great man to learn from"

Trieste have never been promoted in their 90 year history and with these Irish lads hoping to follow in the footsteps of Liam Brady rather than Ronnie O'Brien who knows what the future holds.

Aiden McGeady returned from club suspension to score the winning goal as Celtic progressed in the Scottish Cup at the expense of Dundee yesterday.

In a miserable day where football was restricted because of the weather, McGeady came up with a moment of brilliance to ease Celtic's hearts and keep them in the hunt for the double of league and cup.

Dundee took an early lead through Colin McMenamin after another Arthur Boruc howler, the Polish international came for the ball and missed it completely to leave McMenamin with an easy finish.

Boruc's form has been poor this season, and yesterdays mistake was another to add to his growing catalogue. It is a surprising dip for the 'keeper who was rated as one of Europe's finest only two seasons ago, when clubs like AC Milan began to monitor his progress following impressive exploits in the Champions League.

Only last week Joe Kinnear made it known that he would like Boruc to replace Shay Given at Newcastle, should the Irishman move on as expected this January.

But the real story at Celtic Park yesterday was the return of Aiden McGeady.

He had been suspended and fined by Gordon Strachan following a dressing room bust up a little under a month ago, and as his suspension had ended last week he was expected to resume his part in the team. However Strachan left him out for the 2-2 draw with Dundee Utd.

This further escalation in the suspension sent British printing presses into overdrive as the diminutive winger was linked with a number of big money moves to clubs south of the border.

However, Strachan returned McGeady to the starting line-up yesterday, and in treacherous conditions the Irishman put in a man of the match performance and came up with the winning goal.

With Dundee taking an early lead and threatening to turn this Prodigal son returning story into one of a huge cup upset, Celtic had to win this game the hard way.

After starting badly Celtic continued to stutter and they struggled to create any clear cut chances. Scott McDonald missed a couple as the Glasgow side began to get on top.

Coming towards the end of the first half, Celtic's dominance paid dividends as Dundee began to wane under the intense pressure.

Brown got down the left and pulled the ball back to McDonald who shot first time. But he had miscued badly and as the ball took off an a trajectory that would have brought the ball wide, it deflected off a number of Dundee players before settling nicely in front of Brown who stroked it home with aplomb.

With Celtic back on level terms, it was only a matter of when they scored next, and McGeady came up with that bit of magic as the clock counted down for the first half.

Jinking in from the left, McGeady ghosted past a couple of Dundee players before he curled a superlative shot into the top corner of the far post, Douglas in the Dundee goal might as well have been a spectator.

The second half kicked off with Celtic in much better mood, and they looked like putting the game beyond doubt before you could see a Dundee goal.

Aiden McGeady, clearly enjoying life back in the starting XI, made light of the poor conditions to go close on a number of occasions. Douglas tipping the pick of McGeady's chances over the bar at full stretch.

Jan Vennegoor of Hessilink also went close after he had been played through by Shunsuke Nakamura. Celtic were piling on the pressure as the match moved into the final third, but they were almost caught napping as McMenamin broke free of his markers to graze Boruc's post from outside the box.

As the game moved into the last couple of minutes Celtic went close again, this time Nakamura going inches wide. And just to show that Celtic's dominance and lack of goals meant the game was still alive, Arthur Boruc made another calamitous error.

This time luck smiled on the brave, but Gordon Strachan knows he'll have to deal with Boruc sooner rather than later if Celtic are to hold off Rangers expected late run at the title.

On a day where all the focus began on McGeady's future at Celtic, it ended with the spotlight on Boruc and the likeable Pole has it all to do if he is secure his future at Celtic.

The magician of Munster will see if he can work his magic on the Irish national team after weaving his sorcery on the Red Stags for so many years.

Astonishingly, when first officially appointed, he was rumoured to be in the stands, at Test matches against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.  Like England did – why send your national team into the cauldron of Southern Hemisphere rugby without a first choice coach?  Why sack the old if the new is not ready to immediately take control?

This is an Irish team where realistically, it is hard to tell what exactly the problem is.  Take in contrast the All Black team.  They are, and have always been one of the strongest nations.  But with these impressive records and remarkable history—they should have won more World Cups—but have not. 

Add to this the expectation of a nation, and this is why the All Blacks have a bit of a, let’s say an identity crisis when it comes to whether or not they are the greatest team of modern times.

What of Ireland rugby?  Over 12 months ago they were entering the World Cup as the dark horses.  They had recently toured New Zealand and had given the All Blacks in their prime a close run.  They had come close to winning Six Nations and had recorded three Triple crowns in four years (victory over the other home unions).

 With Leinster and Munster club rugby being strong, and having world class players such as Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara—this was a team that was probably the strongest that the Emerald Isle had ever compiled.

From 2002, when Ireland compiled ten straight victories—their best ever run—this was a team becoming a world power.  This culminated in the year before the World Cup, where the Irish recorded a remarkable triumvirate of victories—over the Wallabies, the Springboks, and then inflicted the heaviest defeat ever on the Pacific Islanders (a team that is the Pacific hybrid of the British Lions).

Despite starting 2007 well, winning all of their Six Nations games except for a narrow 3 point loss to the French, cracks started to appear.  A weaker Ireland team toured Argentina—a mistake to send a depleted team in a World Cup year—and were duly beaten twice.  They then played Scotland in a World Cup warm up. 

Scotland, whom Ireland had not lost since 2001 and had established a seven game winning streak over; were their next foe.  However, this was a powerful looking Scots team, and over powered the Irish pack to record a remarkable 31-21 victory.  The Irish were then fortuitous to beat the Italians, who again overwhelmed the Irish in the forwards to lose by only three points.

The World Cup was then a disaster.  Realistically, outside of the All Blacks, this was the biggest failure of any team.  Ireland struggled pass Namibia and Georgia, realistically third tier nations—both outside the Top 15 of the world.  They were then exposed by the French and Argentineans, both units inflicted heavy defeats on the Irish to send them crashing out of the World Cup.

2008’s Six Nations was not much better—with only wins against Italy and Scotland propping them up to be fourth on the championship table—their worst finish in nearly ten years.

This then resulted in Eddie O’Sullivan falling on his sword, after having his contract extended through to 2012 in the World Cup year—as well as clause that would have given him option to take leave as British Lions coach in 2009 (a position that many, two years ago, thought he would be offered).

Enter Declan Kidney.

The just finished Munster coach took the premier Irish domestic team to four Heineken Cup Finals, claiming the Northern domestic championship in 2006 and 2008.  He also enjoyed a brief stint with Leinster, and was O’Sullivan’s assistant in 2002 through to 2004.  He also has a considerable record with the Irish youth teams—having coached the Ireland Under 19’s to World Cup glory in 1998.

He has taken control of a team that had enjoyed their greatest ever period of success, being ranked as the 3rd strongest nation in world rugby just over two and a half years ago—but now languishing in eighth position. 

Luckily for both Kidney and Ireland, Irish rugby is not weak as some may percieve.  On the back of Munster’s success, both at the HC and against the All Blacks recently—the Irish provinces look as good as they have in recent years. 

The problem for Kidney now, is that he takes control of the most settled team in world rugby, but with little talent underneath the nation’s elite fifteen.    

Even with the IRFU creating the “High performance select group”—which was designed to assist fringe player’s transit into the national team, we do not see world class players entering the fray—with the exception of maybe Stephen Ferris and Luke Fitzgerald. 

The 55-0 thrashing of Canada proved little, and despite expectations being typically high —continue to be unable to defeat the All Blacks.  The win against Argentina showed grit and tactical mettle, but Kidney has now teethed and must succeed in the Six Nations.

Ireland’s first match of the Six Nations will be at Croke Park, hosting Les Bleus.  It will be the 100th meeting between these two nations.  Ireland won the first clash 19-8 at Dublin and proceeded to win the first six matches between the two sides.

However, the Irish are in the midst of a seven game losing streak against the French, dating back to 2003.  If they are to embark on new paths this year, this game will be the indicator.

It was almost surreal last season to see young Scotland striker Steven Fletcher linked with Real Madrid. What was more amazing was the fact Real Madrid didn't deny it.

The Madrid side's sudden interest in the Scottish Premier League obviously woke up their greatest rivals, Barcelona, as it is now the Catalan side being linked to a young starlet from Scotland's top flight.

James McCarthy made his professional debut in 2006, aged just 15, in Scotland's first division for Hamilton Academicals. After breaking into the Hamilton side, he helped the club gain promotion to the Scottish Premier League, despite being only being 16 for half the season.

He was awarded with the Scottish Football League's Young Player of the Year award for those efforts.

The recently turned 18-year-old is already approaching 100 senior appearances for the New Douglas Park side and has not looked out of place in Scotland's top flight. He has drawn plaudits from all over the British Isles and from as far away as, well, Barcelona.

Although McCarthy was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the wunderkind has represented Ireland at under-17, 18, 19 and 21 levels and now looks certain to make his full Irish debut next year thanks to an Irish grandfather and a lack of interest from Scotland officials early on.

So what exactly is it that interests a club like Barcelona?

The midfielder is, to put it plainly, gifted. At 18, he's already one of the best midfielders, if not players, competing in Scotland's top flight. Some opponents even claim he is possibly the best player they have ever seen, according to Chris Sampson from the Times newspaper.

Huge praise indeed from fellow pros.

Hamilton manager Billy Read called James "a fantastic professional" in an interview appearing on www.sportinglife.com, where he spoke of the player's ability to deal with all the pressure. "He's had that since he was 15 years old. He knows what he wants to do and knows what he has to do (to keep improving and keep the interest in him)."

Reid has however claimed the youngster won't be leaving during the January transfer window and will be at the club until the summer at least.

So it looks like Barcelona will have to wait, which, in all honesty, will just see Barcelona getting an even better player.

Let's hope he goes a step further than Fletcher and cements a move to one of the world's greatest sides.

Spare a thought for Scotland, though. They have potentially lost forever their best player in decades, leaving Irish supporters jubilant.

Let's face it, when you think of the name O'Higgins, one thinks of Ireland and not Chilean Football. So when I saw "O'Higgins" near the top of Chile's Clausura, I was more than intrigued.

To be honest, most outside of South America would, in all likelihood, know very little about Chilean Football, and I was no exception. So I did some digging.

The Chilean Premier League is the ninth-ranked league in the world, it's most famous sides include Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile, and they compete in two leagues per season. The Apertura and the Clausura produce two Chilean Champions per year.

Different to most conventional leagues but entertaining all the same. You would think that this system would be more likely to produce different champions each season, but not really as Colo Colo won four leagues in a row.

That is certainly consistent and quite a feat, I'd say.

Before I move on to O'Higgins, there are two other familiar names on the log.

Everton (one of Chile's top sides) were founded by sailors from Liverpool. Fancy that...

Rangers were not, funnily enough, founded by a Scotsman but there was an Englishman involved.

So now to the mystery that is Club Deportivo O'Higgins.

The club is based in Rancagua but was named after a hero of the Chilean War for Independence.

What, I hear you say? What has O'Higgins got to do with a South American Civil War?

Well it's all to do with Bernardo O'Higgins, the first Supreme Director of a fully independent Chile.

Bernardo was an illegitimate son of Ambrosio O'Higgins (originally Ambrose O'Higgins), a nobleman of sorts, from, you guessed it, Ireland.

Ambrosio emigrated to South America after suppression in Ireland and a downfall of family stature. To cut a pretty long story short, he ended up the Governor of Chile after years working for the Spanish Army and went on to be the Viceroy of Peru.

The son Bernardo was as already mentioned one of the hero's who vanquished Chile from Spanish rule. I wouldn't exactly call it "following in his fathers footsteps," but an extremely successful man nonetheless.

Club Deportivo O'Higgins are far less successful.

Formed in 1955, since their 1964 second division title the club has won absolutely nothing in 42 years in Chile's top flight. So I wouldn't put any money on a league win anytime soon, despite their recent upturn in fortunes.

Well, if you made it to the end of this, then I thank you for following my fascination. At least any Irish readers have a new soft spot for Chilean football.

Sunday's FAI Cup Final between Bohemians and Derry City promises to be an intriguing affair. With both managers having managed the opposition in recent seasons, one could be forgiven for thinking that this match was all about the men in the technical area.

In the build-up to the match, Derry City boss Stephen Kenny has done everything in his power to deflect attention away from the rival managers. But with their recent histories so intertwined, it is hard to look at this match and not refer to the managers.

After becoming the youngest manager in league history when he took the reigns at Longford Town, the 27-year-old Kenny went on to have three glory filled seasons with the minnows.

Eventually at the ripe old age of 30, Bohemians, one of the giants of Irish football proved to be a temptation that Kenny couldn't turn down.

When Kenny took over in 2001, Boh's were League champions, but were in turmoil and were languishing in the relegation positions following Roddy Collins' resignation.

Kenny's impact was instant, Boh's rocketed up the league and narrowly missed out on Europe, while they reached the FAI Cup Final, only to lose 1-0 to Dundalk.

The following season Boh's with a new look side led the league from start to finish, claiming Kenny's first league title.

Boh's invested heavily as the chased a position in the group stages of the Champions League and after a poor start to the season, Kenny was acrimoniously sacked with the team sitting nicely in third place.

Within three weeks, Kenny was back in employment at Derry. He had a hugely successful time at Derry before in 2006, the lure of Dunfermline proved too strong. But after a poor time in Scotland, he returned to his spiritual home in the North.

Fenlon, by contrast was one of the best players ever to play in the league. After a glorious playing career that saw him win every trophy imaginable, it was only a matter of time before he entered into management.

In 2002, he took up his first job as player/manager of Shelbourne and guided them to second place in his inaugural year. After retiring from playing he then led Shel's to the league title in 2003 and 2004.

Firmly entrenched as the power-houses of Irish football, Shel's had a poor season by their own high standards in 2005, finishing 2nd. But normal status resumed in 2006 as Shelbourne swept the league aside to claim another title.

In 2006, with Shel's in financial difficulties Fenlon resigned to take up the post at Derry left vacant by Stephen Kenny's move to Dunfermline.

The move proved to be a difficult one on a professional and on a personal level. After spending a lot of money on new players during the close season, pressure was on for Derry to perform and to step into the vacancy left by Shelbourne following their shock relegation.

Results proved hard to come by, and with his family failing to settle, Fenlon resigned after five months. Over the next year he managed the Irish U-23's before taking over as manager of Boh's in late 2007.

While Fenlon was unable to build upon the great success that Kenny had made of Derry, he has more than emphasised what a good manager he is by guiding Boh's to within inches of a memorable league and cup double.

A win on Sunday will see the Gypsie's (Bohemian's) complete this double in Fenlon's first year as manager.

If further emphasis of the links between these two teams is needed, ex-Derry players Killian Brennan, Ken Oman and Stephen McGuinness were all integral in Boh's march to the title. Unfortunately for McGuinness, he is suspended for the final after picking up a yellow card too many.

Irish Internationals Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne will battle it out with ex-Spurs man Neale Fenn for the places up front as Boh's search for that elusive double.

With Derry also chasing a double after winning the League Cup earlier this season, Kenny will have some hard choices to make when it comes to picking the team.

One major decision will centre on the influential veteran Peter Hutton, and whether he is fit enough to re-claim his place in the starting line up. Hutton, in the twilight of his career has been exceptional for Derry this season, and with him on the verge of retirement it is hard to see him not having some part to play.

Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, and Stephen Gray should all start at the back. Barry Molloy and Kevin Deery are certain starters in midfield, and they should be joined by Niall McGinn, the newest addition to Northern Ireland's international cause will be on a high after making the recent squads.

McGinn has had a brilliant season by anyone's standards. Fast tracked into the Northern Ireland squad, the youth has also won the "Young Player of the Year" in a remarkable debut season.

Mark Farren, who is being tracked by a number of English League One and Two teams is a definite starter up front and he should partner Sammy Morrow.

With the two best teams in the country going head to head, it could be a memorable final, and Kenny is in up-beat mood as the kick-off approaches.

"They are a formidable team and have been terrific this season, but our player's have been fantastic. The way that we have gone on and qualified for Europe (2nd) and won the League Cup and now to get to the Cup Final...We lost our best player Paddy McCourt (to Celtic) in mid season and Conor Sammon went to Kilmarnock.

"We'll bring a good crowd and winning the cup would be a great end to a great season," said an optimistic Kenny ahead of the match.

The matches between these two teams have always been tight affairs, and over the course of this season they have played each other three times, with only one goal scored over these matches as Derry snatched a win in fortress Dalymount, a week after Boh's had been crowned League Champions.

The match on Sunday should be another classic encounter between these sides. And with the league in turmoil thanks to betting scandals and teams failing to meet financial criteria, the league needs this showcase game to be good.

It certainly has all the ingredients, and should live up to all the expectation.

It's that time again, players pulling out of International duty, not a game being played without a manager "experimenting," and as many subs being made as possible. That's right, it's international friendlies. Just how important are they?

The old rivalry between England and Germany is rekindled tonight when the two teams meet in Berlin. Whilst England always have a few first-teamers out, Theo Walcott's injury in training makes the number of regular players missing to eight.

No Gerrard, Lampard or Rooney, neither of the Coles, and in the last five days England found out they will have to go to Germany without Joe Hart or Theo Walcott. Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown are also missing.

Obviously it's a great opportunity for Fabio Capello to flex some of his more unconventional muscles. It's come as a huge surprise that the Italian has picked Michael Mancienne, but if anyone knows a defender, Fabio does, so maybe just maybe it'll be the start of something special.

As John Terry has said, a game against Germany is never a friendly, so it's hugely important that the players that have been drafted in do a job. It's a great opportunity for them, so they have to grab it by the scruff of the neck.

Zip over to Denmark, where Wales travel tonight. John Toshack has finally selected Aaron Ramsey for international duty, but quite rightly has been keen to downplay the role he will play. For Wales these friendlies are a great way to enhance their youth setup. 

In an interview yesterday, Toshack stated "Someone down the line will benefit from the hard work we're doing now" and I think that speaks volumes for what he's trying to do.

A transitional manager, Toshack is blooding this new talent for the future, and whether he benefits from it in five years time of if someone else does, he just wants to enhance the future of the national team.

These friendlies are crucial to getting the kids in and playing at international level in a less pressured atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Scotland play host to Argentina at Hampden Park, where the world's media will be watching as Diego Maradona takes charge of Argentina for the first time. I don't think the Scots will be pinning much hope into the game tonight, it's not going to be about them unfortunately.

Perhaps that's what they need though. Focus off of George Burley's selection policy and on their opponents, so they can have a chance to just play some football and hone their game.

The Republic of Ireland host Poland at Croke Park, and I think it's vital they prove they can overcome opponents like this. There's not much to Poland up front but at the back they are solid. The Irish need to prove they can break teams like this down.

If they can, then they'll have no trouble ousting Bulgaria and Montenegro in their World Cup Qualifying group and solidifying second place, and at least challenging Italy for the top spot.

For Northern Ireland these games are huge, playing Hungary at home tonight, they desperately need a win. It would improve their world ranking a fair bit, and help them to get slightly easier groups for forthcoming campaigns.

It isn't just that either, the three teams above them in their WCQ group are arguably only narrowly better than them, and definitely beatable.

A win tonight would do their confidence no harm. That said, the Czech Republic do sit below them, so a return to winning ways may even be necessary for Northern Ireland to avoid the embarrassment of finishing fifth.

All the teams have something to play for tonight. What do I think will happen? I unfortunately suspect England will lose to Germany tonight, just as they did to France at the start of the year.

Scotland may have a chance against the Argentine circus, but will have to be on top form, I reckon they can scrape a draw tonight.

Wales could well go home beaten, but expect both Irish sides to get at least a draw, the Republic should win, the Northern Irish could win.