It may have taken a bit longer than expected for Ireland to get back on the pitch following their opening Six Nations weekend disappointment at the hands of Wales, but the squad are raring to go in their return to the Aviva stadium this weekend.

The BBC is reporting that a deal agreed between the Irish Football Association and Linfield for the use of Windsor Park could release millions for the re-development of Brandywell Stadium.

Derry City will not be playing in European competition next season, the club has confirmed.

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named and coach Declan Kidney has opted for an unchanged lineup.

City club celebrates historic season at City Hotel event

THE RECENT problems experienced by Glasgow giants Rangers were, in fairness to the present owner, a long time in the making!

CITY of Derry’s end of season renaissance gathered pace in Limerick on Saturday when the Judges Road men continued their late drive toward a unlikley promotion play-off spot with a richly deserved bonus point victory over Thomond.

DUNGIVEN’S Ulster dream is over for 12 months at least, a late scoring spree from Mayobridge on Sunday secured the Down champions’ safe passage into the Thomas Devlin Cars sponsored Under 21 Club Football Championship Final.

JAMES McClean’s surprise call-up yesterday for the Republic of Ireland’s friendly fixture against the Czech Republic tomorrow week in the Aviva Stadium, will now see three Derry men in the squad.

Dunree United 4

INSTITUTE’s Elite Youth squad coach, Brian Donaghy, insists the Drumahoe club holds no fear as it awaits tonight’s draw for the quarter-finals of the Irish Intermediate Cup.

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PREMIER DIVISION leaders, Top of the Hill Celtic recorded a comfortable victory over Celtic Swifts on Sunday to consolidate their position on the summit of the table.

OXFORD United scored a long overdue first league win of the season on Saturday when they defeated a shell-shocked Clooney in a weather-affected NWSML fixture list.

Allan Bogle and Anne Paul completed an impressive City of Derry Spartans double success at Saturday’s Roe Valley Trail Run.

DECLAN Devine’s Derry City may have cruised through to a Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final clash with Linfield last night but it was the presence of James McClean which clearly lit up the Brandywell Stadium.

Ireland’s rugby squad finally get the opportunity to bounce back from the opening Six Nations defeat to Wales this week.

Former Derry City star James McClean has been called up to the Irish squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic.

Derry City manager Declan Devine has secured the signing of 25-year-old Dungannon Swifts player Dermott McCaffrey.

Derry’s premier youth football tournament, the Foyle Cup, has secured a new three year sponsorship deal - just months after its long-term future was said to be at risk.