1. #PAY CUT Giovanni Trapattoni will take a six-figure wage reduction, it was confirmed last night.
The Ireland manager needed just half a minute to agree the estimated €100,000 cut to his €1.8 million salary.
No real specifics were offered however, at the launch of the Europa League final’s formal launch in the capital’s new convention centre last night.
His back-up team, including Marco Tardelli and fitness coach Fausto Rossi, have also taken a hit.
2. #UEFA When they weren’t answering questions about Trap’s pay packet, FAI chiefs and UEFA big wigs gave details about the Europa League final in Dublin next May.
Some 7,000 match tickets, we’re told, will be made available to Irish fans. Prices for the tickets, which go on sale on December 16th at 11am, have come down for the first time ever, with seats priced at €135, €105, €80 and €50.
3. #RETIREMENT Derek Lyng will not pull on Kilkenny stripes again. The 32-year-old Emeralds midfielder announced his retirement from inter-county action yesterday.
He won six senior All-Ireland titles and two All-Star awards. Which is nice.
4. #BIG EASY New Orleans quarter-back Drew Brees was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year last night.
He took the award for ‘not only leading the New Orleans Saints to the first Super Bowl title in the franchise’s history, but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans’ rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina’.
5. #CHANGE Connacht Rugby is set to undergo a radical administration change, the Irish Examiner reports.
A new board of directors will take over and a professional games board will be charged with the responsibility of administering all aspects of professional rugby in the province.
6. #BOOKED Former England rugby player Brian Moore’s autobiography ‘Beware of the Dog’ won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year yesterday.
7. #TMO Louth have officially called for a Television Match Official – like that used in rugby games – to avoid any repeat of the Leinster final fiasco, according to the Irish Sun.
Then, of course, the Wee County were denied a historic Leinster title by a late Meath ‘goal’. Now Louth officials have drawn up a motion to go before Congress calling for the technology.
8. #KEANE EDGE Roy Keane admits he’s one game away from the Ipswich Town sack. Coincidentally his Tractor Boys play tonight. The Corkman has put his faith in youth for the Carling Cup quarter final with West Brom.
9. #HAMMERED Manchester United suffered their heaviest defeat in nine years as West Ham ran out 4-0 winners at Upton Park last night. Elsewhere in the Carling Cup, Arsenal beat Wigan 2-0.
Watch Alex Ferguson’s second-string get schooled:
