The club had consistently struggled to attract significant support and lack of finance meant that it spent the bulk of its existence in the first division. In recent times, chairman Jim Rhattigan admitted last night, it had become harder to keep making ends meet and he said that the time had come for "a reality check".

The club may enter a team in the under-20 league for next year and it is hoped that the greater availability of Buckley Park will allow the local community great access to the ground. The stadium is also set to host at least one under-21 game over the coming months. Sporting Fingal are the most likely candidates to replace Kilkenny in the league.

Chelsea eye Kaka

Chelsea will try to get AC Milan's world player of the year Kaka as a replacement if striker Didier Drogba leaves in the off-season. Barcelona's Lionel Messi, runner-up for Fifa's top player award, could also be a target of the west London club.

Chelsea have run out of patience with Drogba's "public posturing" over his future, with Milan or Barcelona his most likely destinations. It is believed Chelsea would only make a deal with either team if Kaka or Messi were included in return.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been fined €53,000 by the Football Association over the behaviour of their players in the Premier League match at Derby on November 24th.

Capello pledge England coach

Fabio Capello has promised the Italian authorities his full co-operation during their tax investigation. Capello is fairly laid back about the situation: "With my advisers, I have always endeavoured to conduct my financial business with integrity," said Capello.

Referee move

Uefa are backing a change to football's rules to allow two extra assistant referees in the penalty area at free-kicks and corners.

The idea, put forward by Uefa president Michel Platini, is to be trialled at youth tournaments as an alternative to goal-line technology. The experiment will include using the assistants both behind the goal-line and inside the penalty box as extra eyes and ears for the referee.

McLeish busy Birmingham manager

Alex McLeish has been given permission by his Aston Villa counterpart Martin O'Neill to speak to central defender Gary Cahill about a possible move to St Andrews. McLeish has signed Hibernian full-back David Murphy and now he is aiming to strengthen his back four by attempting to sign Cahill, who could be reunited at St Andrews with his former Villa team-mate Liam Ridgewell.

 However, James McFadden's move to Birmingham is on hold after a second club entered the chase for the Everton forward last night. Everton had accepted a fee in the region of €7 million for the Scotland striker.

Keane misses Taylor

Sunderland manager Roy Keane's hopes of landing Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor were dashed yesterday when he signed for Bolton. The 26-year-old was understood to be among Keane's list of potential recruits after admitting his wish to leave Fratton Park, but yesterday he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Reebok Stadium. That will come as a blow both to Keane and Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate, who is also thought to have expressed an interest in the former Luton player.

Move on Cup timing  

The 2010 African Nations Cup will start 10 days earlier than this year's edition in Ghana as a small concession to European-based clubs. The ruling Confederation of African Football (CAF) said yesterday the 2010 tournament in Angola would be held from January 10th to 31st.

In brief . . .

Tottenham target Fred has ended speculation about his future by announcing he will be staying with Lyon until the end of the season . . . Portsmouth have signed France midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee . . . Everton have signed a second shirt deal with Thailand-based Chang Beer which will be worth €10.5 million over three years . . . Manchester United are close to sealing a deal for 17-year-old identical twin defenders Fabio and Rafael Silva, who are both Brazilian youth internationals . . . Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has held talks with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill regarding a move to the midlands club. The unsettled Defoe, who has been told by Spurs coach Juande Ramos that he is prepared to let him leave White Hart Lane, is reported to have spoken with O'Neill at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Wednesday . . . Brazilian club Flamengo will make a firm offer for AC Milan striker Ronaldo in two weeks, a spokesman for the club has revealed. The 31-year-old, who scored twice in the Rossonieri's 5-2 win over Napoli at the weekend, has been heavily linked with a return to his homeland . . . Sweden international Erik Edman has agreed to join Wigan Athletic on a 2½ -year contract from Stade Rennes.