Latest Soccer News

• St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 IF Elfsborg (Agg: 4-3)
  St Patrick’s Athletic progressed to the First Round proper of the UEFA Cup on a historic night for Irish football at Richmond Park, writes Mark Cummins.
• United paired with Celtic in Champions League
  Holders Manchester United will face Celtic in the Champions League group stages following the draw in Monaco.
• Trapattoni names Republic squad
  Damien Duff has been ruled out of the 22-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro.
• Midtjylland 0-1 Manchester City (Man City 4-2 pens)
  Manchester City had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank as they fortuitously progressed to the UEFA Cup first round with a penalty shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland.
• Aston Villa 1-1 FH Hafnarfjordur (Agg: 5-2)
  Aston Villa are through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years despite being held by the Icelandic part-timers in a low-key second leg at Villa Park.
• Andrews joins Blackburn Rovers
  Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of MK Dons midfielder Keith Andrews on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
• Ireland will play Georgia in Mainz
  The World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Georgia on Saturday 6 September is to be played in Mainz, outside Frankfurt in Germany, FIFA have confirmed.
• Wright-Phillips re-signs for Manchester City
  Manchester City have completed the signing of Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, for an undisclosed fee.
• United duo return for Super tie
  Alex Ferguson welcomes back Owen Hargreaves and Nani for the UEFA Super Cup match against Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco tomorrow.
• Benitez praises Kuyt as Gerrard faces op
  Rafael Benitez hailed his European lucky charm Dirk Kuyt as Liverpool scrambled their way into the Champions League group stages but lost Steven Gerrard to injury on Wednesday night.
• Keane promises to support Chopra
  Sunderland manager Roy Keane has promised to help striker Michael Chopra as he ‘deals with some personal problems’.
• Wenger thrilled with Gunners response
  Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal passed a ‘big mental test’ by giving the perfect response to their critics with a comprehensive demolition of Steve McClaren's FC Twente.
• St Patrick's Athletic v IF Elfsborg
  St Patrick's Athletic's strength in depth will be tested to the full tonight as the Inchicore club stand on the brink of a place in the first round proper of the UEFA Cup.
• Liverpool 1-0 Standard Liege (AET, agg: 1-0)
  Dirk Kuyt struck the extra-time winner which will be worth millions to Liverpool as they secured their place in the Champions League group stages.
• Arsenal 4-0 FC Twente (Arsenal win 6-0 on agg)
  Arsenal brushed aside the challenge of Steve McClaren's FC Twente to secure a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League with a 4-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.
• Gerrard sidelined by groin trouble
  Steven Gerrard will miss both of England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after having an operation on Thursday on his troublesome groin problem.
• Cork City players see wages slashed
  The Eircom League was hit with another financial blow on Wednesday, with the news that players at Cork City have been asked to take a 70% pay cut as the club tries to clear their €1.3 million debt.
• Wednesday’s Carling Cup round-up
  Danny Murphy scored an injury-time winner as Fulham avoided a second-round Carling Cup upset at the hands of Leicester City.
• Confusion over Georgia v Rep of Ireland venue
  The Georgian Football Federation have confirmed that their World Cup group eight qualifier against the Republic of Ireland will take place in Karlsruhe, but the venue is not available according to a statement from the German club.
• Barry will remain at Villa
  Gareth Barry's agent has stated the England midfielder will stay with Aston Villa rather than make a late move before the transfer window closes.
• Villa pledges future to Valencia
  Valencia striker David Villa has ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract with the Primera Liga club.
• Kranjcar goes under the knife
  Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is set to be without Niko Kranjcar after the midfielder underwent an operation on ruptured ankle ligament.
• Chelsea close to Robinho capture
  Chelsea expect to sign Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid in the next 48 hours, Sky Sports News quoted chief executive Peter Kenyon as saying on Wednesday.
• Liverpool co-op dream gains momentum
  The Liverpool fan group who want to buy the club will tonight get backing for their dream from sports minister Andy Burnham.
• Kaka staying at Milan
  AC Milan star Kaka claims he has no intention of joining Chelsea and has pledged his future to the Italian giants.