http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/bayern-insist-they-have-no-weaknesses-29295253.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/bayern-insist-they-have-no-weaknesses-29295253.html If you were seeking the distillation of the confidence playing for Bayern Munich breeds in its players, especially this recent gilded generation of Germans, then watching Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller face questions at Wembley was an emphatic reminder of how they regard themselves. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lewandowski-plans-to-hand-dortmund-a-farewell-gift-29295264.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lewandowski-plans-to-hand-dortmund-a-farewell-gift-29295264.html There are a few managers who might have signed Robert Lewandowski. But for the Icelandic ash cloud that cancelled his flight, he might have joined Sam Allardyce at Blackburn. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/daniel-mcdonnell-fenlons-chance-to-enter-hibs-folklore-29295261.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/daniel-mcdonnell-fenlons-chance-to-enter-hibs-folklore-29295261.html THE semi-finals of the Scottish Cup nearly broke Pat Fenlon; tomorrow's final with Celtic could make him. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/napoli-president-claims-benitez-to-be-new-boss-29295266.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/napoli-president-claims-benitez-to-be-new-boss-29295266.html Napoli have stepped up their efforts to lure Rafael Benitez by publicly claiming to have agreed a deal with the Spaniard. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mcdonnell-has-cause-for-shels-optimism-despite-derby-defeat-29295257.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mcdonnell-has-cause-for-shels-optimism-despite-derby-defeat-29295257.html THE last time that John McDonnell sat on the Shelbourne bench, they were the best team in the country – but they are a world away from that now. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/zidane-bale-good-enough-for-real-29296016.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/zidane-bale-good-enough-for-real-29296016.html Real Madrid ambassador Zinedine Zidane believes Gareth Bale is among the top three players in the world and "more than good enough" for the Spanish giants. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 11:12:12 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lescott-moving-on-from-mancini-29295991.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lescott-moving-on-from-mancini-29295991.html Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott expects the squad to quickly put the disruption of Roberto Mancini's sacking behind them this summer. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 10:37:54 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lampard-hopes-for-new-terry-deal-29295989.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lampard-hopes-for-new-terry-deal-29295989.html Frank Lampard hopes Chelsea team-mate John Terry can follow him by signing a new contract with the club. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 10:37:46 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/cech-excited-by-mourinho-talk-29295900.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/cech-excited-by-mourinho-talk-29295900.html Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has described the prospect of Jose Mourinho returning to the club as "fantastic". Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 09:52:17 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/aguero-happy-at-city-29295898.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/aguero-happy-at-city-29295898.html Argentina striker Sergio Aguero insists he is happy at Manchester City. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 09:52:15 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/moyes-shows-door-to-phelan-29295896.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/moyes-shows-door-to-phelan-29295896.html David Moyes' Manchester United revolution is under way following the departures of Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 09:52:11 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fa-charge-sees-townsend-withdraw-29295880.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fa-charge-sees-townsend-withdraw-29295880.html Tottenham winger Andros Townsend has pulled out of the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship in Israel after being charged by the Football Association with betting offences. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 09:22:28 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/were-focused-and-driven-to-seal-double-in-style-lennon-29295258.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/were-focused-and-driven-to-seal-double-in-style-lennon-29295258.html HAMPDEN PARK'S lush turf offers Neil Lennon the perfect surface to become only the third man after Jock Stein and Billy McNeill to win the Scottish Cup as both Celtic player and manager. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/keogh-i-was-angry-at-trap-over-euros-axe-29295252.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/keogh-i-was-angry-at-trap-over-euros-axe-29295252.html ANDY KEOGH has admitted that he was 'angry and upset' to miss out on Euro 2012, but kept his thoughts private because he wanted to prolong his Ireland career. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/byrnes-dramatic-treble-seals-victory-29295230.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/byrnes-dramatic-treble-seals-victory-29295230.html Jason Byrne closed in on another entry in the record books as Bray snatched an injury-time winner against nine-man Drogheda. The former Ireland striker netted his third goal in the 95th minute at the Carlisle Grounds to complete a stunning hat-trick. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/limerick-hold-sligo-to-keep-taylor-happy-with-progress-29295254.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/limerick-hold-sligo-to-keep-taylor-happy-with-progress-29295254.html This was a frustrating night at Thomond Park for Sligo Rovers as the champions were left reflecting on what might have been. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mcmillan-steals-show-to-keep-ucd-on-song-29295259.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mcmillan-steals-show-to-keep-ucd-on-song-29295259.html UCD added Dundalk to their list of recent conquests as David McMillan inspired the Students to victory at Oriel Park. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/patterson-rescues-point-for-wasteful-derry-29295255.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/patterson-rescues-point-for-wasteful-derry-29295255.html TWO goals in the space of a couple of minutes saw Cork City share the spoils with Derry City at the Brandywell. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fagan-and-brennan-send-saints-top-29295262.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fagan-and-brennan-send-saints-top-29295262.html Christy Fagan and Killian Brennan returned to haunt their former employers at Dalymount Park as their quick-fire first-half goals moved St Pat's to the top of the table. Soccer Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:02 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/players-accepting-mourinho-return-29294643.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/players-accepting-mourinho-return-29294643.html Chelsea's players appear to have grown used to the likelihood of Jose Mourinho returning return to the club. Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 21:27:36 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/townsend-out-after-betting-charges-29294473.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/townsend-out-after-betting-charges-29294473.html Tottenham winger Andros Townsend has pulled out of the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship in Israel after being charged by the Football Association with betting offences. Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 19:27:17 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/gill-expects-rooney-to-stay-put-29294376.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/gill-expects-rooney-to-stay-put-29294376.html Outgoing Manchester United chief executive David Gill expects Wayne Rooney to start the 2013-14 season with the Barclays Premier League champions. Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 18:12:27 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fernandes-admits-qpr-mistakes-29294330.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fernandes-admits-qpr-mistakes-29294330.html QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has given a blunt assessment of his time at the helm of the club, admitting his mistakes contributed to the club's recent relegation. Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 17:32:31 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/benitez-poised-to-join-napoli-club-president-29294304.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/benitez-poised-to-join-napoli-club-president-29294304.html FORMER Chelsea and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is poised to join Napoli, the Serie A club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis said today Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 17:17:58 +0100 http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-got-carried-away-with-qpr-says-naive-fernandes-29294292.html http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-got-carried-away-with-qpr-says-naive-fernandes-29294292.html TONY Fernandes pleaded guilty to naivety today and said he had let his heart rule his head with Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League last season and paid the price with relegation. Soccer Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:47 +0100