Summer 2026 the aspiration for FAI National League third tier and wonderkid John-Joe Finn's La Liga bloom a boon for Ireland.

Concerns around match-fixing are usually confined to the professional game but the FAI have laid down the law by imposing an eight-month ban on a player involved in the amateur sphere.

Elsewhere and the Women footballers hold the last chance of Irish success this year.

Final domestic date of the year could have deepest consequences and split erupts over Uefa handouts.

Baby Faced Assassin eventually gets to work with FAI and Euro fever parked momentarily as Ireland women discover Nations League path.

Still a road to travel for City and Noonan to finalise deal and amateurs Euro qualification tilt an afterthought in corridors of power.

John Fallon looks at six priority areas for David Courell in his first 12 months. 

Long lull for women's team to end as October arrives and title and transfer talk dominating the season run-in.

Hallgrimsson will belatedly take to skies for scouting and UCD's European return evokes memories of Haaland's cameo.

Good news – rather than great – for Irish football during giveaway election cycle and LOI's sole seat on FAI board again to be decided by election,