today's top Irish soccer stories - March 15

Connolly struggling for fitness
With the loss of Niall Quinn from the Irish squad, manager Mick McCarthy cannot afford to lose another striker for the crunch games against Cyprus and Andorra - but this could be a distinct possibility with the news that David Connolly is struggling.
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McKeever goes a-Roving
Mark McKeever is set to relaunch his career at Bristol Rovers. The former underage international has completed a £50,000 move from Sheffield Wednesday. full story »

Duff drives Blackburn upwards
Damien Duff scored a cracking winner last night as Blackburn pressed home their challenge for automatic promotion to the Premiership.
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FAI to receive IMG bill today
The five-member officer board of the FAI meets today with IMG, the management group responsible for the Eircom Park project - and the soccer body's chief executive, Bernard O'Byrne, will come under more pressure to quit if the group hand in a big bill, on top of the £3.5 million which opponents say has already been "wasted" on the aborted stadium.
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Eircom players hail new era
The PFAI and the Eircom League had an historic first meeting yesterday to discuss issues affecting players - and now the players are hailing a new era of co-operation.
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O'Brien deal hits hitch
Andy O'Brien's proposed £1.5 move to Newcastle has hit a hitch. Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond is apparently insisting on a sell-on clause and that is proving a stumbling block for the Magpies, who had hoped to clinch the deal ahead of today's transfer deadline.
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Maybury: no harm done
Republic of Ireland international Alan Maybury was carried off the pitch last night as Leeds United were held to a 3-3 Elland Road Champions League draw by Lazio.
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Quinn out of qualifiers
Niall Quinn has been forced to withdraw from the Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Cyprus. Quinn took the step after Sunderland manager Peter Reid finally decided to accept medical advice and rest the striker for a month. full story »

Ireland fall four places in World rankings!
The Republic of Ireland has slipped four places in FIFA's latest World Comedy Rankings - even though we haven't kicked a ball in anger since last month's list!
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Coyle for Carlisle?
Veteran Irish striker Owen Coyle could be on his way to Carlisle. The one-cap Republic of Ireland international is considering a loan move to the Nationwide third division side.
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Newcastle target O'Brien
It was only a matter of time before the vultures descended for Andy O'Brien, relegation-doomed Bradford's prize remaining asset - and Newcastle United are first in the queue.
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