Players from each club pictured at today's French launch of the European Champions Cup in Paris. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

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• Ireland’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova has been significantly-depleted by a raft of injuries.
• Aidan Walsh has committed solely to playing for the Cork footballers in 2017 while Alan Cadogan and Damien Cahalane are still weighing up their options before deciding whether to play football or hurling next season.
• Leinster will have to plan without Fergus McFadden and Dave Kearney for the Guinness Pro12 inter-provincial clash with Munster on Saturday.
• Munster hope to see a quartet of young players back in full training after head and neck injuries in recent weeks.
• Connacht have confirmed that they will be without the services of Tom McCartney, Denis Buckley and Matt Healy for this weekend’s game against Ulster, while Pat Lam’s outfit also announced some positive contract news.

Roy Keane keeps a close eye on today's Ireland training session. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Away

• Former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song, the ex-captain of Cameroon’s national side, is in a coma after suffering a stroke.
• Roberto Di Matteo is no longer manager of Aston Villa after the club announced that it had taken the decision to part company with the former Chelsea boss.
• Former USA coach Bob Bradley has been installed as the new Swansea City manager, replacing Franceso Guidolin.
• Daniele De Rossi moved to make light of his his angry reaction towards Roma fans in defence of Edin Dzeko after the much-maligned striker opened the scoring in yesterday’s  2-1 Serie A triumph over Inter.

The Best Thing We Shared

Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly posted a heartfelt message today detailing some of his emotions in the aftermath of Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC replay loss to Dublin.

Where We Were Today

Ben Blake was at Abbotstown to hear from Martin O’Neill ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova.

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

On The Record

I have to say that I’m involved in a sport that I love and an industry that at times I don’t like. Outside of that, the detail of what happened last week, I’m not too au fait with. I genuinely was locked away. I’ve heard names mentioned and bits of speculation. I don’t have the detail so I don’t think I can speculate on what might or might not have happened. I think there is lots about the industry of football that I don’t like. But it’s a sport I love and representing my country was something that I loved. They are the bits I have to focus on.”

England interim manager Gareth Southgate concedes he has little affection for the football industry as he takes the reins of the national team following Sam Allardyce’s dramatic downfall.

The Fixture List

• Derry City host Dundalk tomorrow night in a replay of yesterday’s drawn FAI Cup semi-final, with kick-off at the Brandywell at 7.45pm.
• In the Premier Division, Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps get underway at the same time at the Showgrounds.

Showbiz, baby!

The game wasn’t televised so check out the highlights over Munster’s weekend rout of Zebre.

What was your favourite goal from this summer’s football championship?

Record-breaking Ger Pender guarantees his place in LOI/FAI Cup team of the week