Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane is set to slot in at left back in place of the suspended Enda Stevens for tonight's international friendly against Bulgaria. Older and wiser than in his first stint in the squad, Shamrock Rovers playmaker Jack Byrne is backing himself to carry his terrific domestic and European form into the international fold if given the opportunity at the Aviva. Last night a luckless Northern Ireland team were beaten 2-0 in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany at Windsor Park.

Gerry Thornley believes that the pre-Rugby World Cup Phoney war augurs well for Ireland ahead of their tournament kick-off against Scotland in less than two weeks - "clearly the programme was designed to ensure the players peak in two weeks' time in Yokohama, and Saturday's performance provided the most compelling proof yet that they are on course to do so." Former captain and talisman Brian O'Driscoll tells Johnny Watterson that; 'I absolutely think Ireland can win the World Cup'.

Ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland football final replay, Kevin McStay backs Dublin to make history with two or three points to spare (Subscriber Only): "I am sticking with my sense that Dublin will soak up the adversarial moments, cope with the stress of a close game and put a five-on-a-row seal on this fabulous era with two or three points to spare." Sean Moran asks Kerry legend John O'Keeffe - Can five-in-a-row be done? He recalls the 1982 defeat and a career spanning 50 years.

Meanwhile in this week's Pay for Pay pages Ruaidhrí Croke explains how English football is still the biggest draw for Irish fans: "It's a familiar scene in Dublin Airport departures every weekend from August to May when streams of football fans come through security, some wearing merchandise from the clubs they support, some not, but all travelling for the one purpose – to see a football match in the UK."