Trapattoni remains Republic boss

Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain as manager of the Republic of Ireland after being given the backing of the Football Association of Ireland.



The 73-year-old Italian was left fighting for his job after Friday's 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Germany.



The board chose to wait until Wednesday to meet and discuss Trapattoni's future, not wishing to upset preparations for Tuesday night's match against the Faroe Islands.



The Irish duly delivered a 4-1 win in Torshavn to keep alive their hopes of finishing second in Group C and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, enough to convince the FAI board that now is not the time for change.



A statement from the FAI read: "The Board of the FAI met today and discussed Ireland's performances in the World Cup Qualifying campaign to date and the prospects of achieving qualification for Brazil 2014.



"The Board agreed that convening a meeting between the Germany and Faroe Islands matches and/or commenting on the Germany game or the manager's position prior to Tuesday night's game would have been totally inappropriate.



"Following today's discussions the Board, while disappointed like everyone with the poor result and performance against Germany and understanding the frustration of some of our supporters, believes the current position in the group means that qualification for Brazil in 2014 remains a realistic and achievable prospect and reaffirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team.



"The Board recognises the depth of feeling surrounding the team, the performances, the results and the manager, reflecting the passion which everyone in Irish football has for the game and will continue to work closely with the manager."



Trapattoni's contract with the FAI runs to the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Duff has no intention of quitting Ireland

Fulham star Damien Duff has revealed that he has no plans to retire from international football, at the moment.



The 33 year old, who captained Ireland on his 100th cap against Italy in the final game of Ireland’s Euro 2012, also stated his intention to play for as long as possible saying: “I’m going to play until I drop.”



Following Ireland’s poor showing in Poland , which saw them lose all three of their group matches, conceding nine goals and scoring just once, there had been speculation that a number of the teams more senior players, Duff amongst them, would step aside however Duff has rubbished those claims and insists he does not want to turn his back on his country.



“There’s speculation just because of my age. I’m 33 years old, but I feel as good as ever. I feel 23,” said the former Chelsea and Newcastle winger.



“Listen, I’m going to play until I drop. I don’t think I’m interested in anything else. Fulham, Ireland, if I end up in the Airtricty League, the Leinster Senior League. I’m going to do all that.



“At the minute I’m still an Ireland player. I never brought it up that I was thinking about retirement.



“I’ve spoken to Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli, and at the moment I’m still available.”

Andrews facing two-match ban

Keith Andrews is facing the possibility of missing the Republic of Ireland's opening two games of the World Cup qualifiers following his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Italy.



Andrews failed to complete the full 90 minutes in Poznan after picking up two yellow cards, his second coming in the 89 minute just moments before Mario Balotelli fired home to make it 2-0.



An automatic one-match ban is the punishment for two yellow cards but Andrews' suspension could be doubled if the referee's report mentions his angry response to being sent off, which saw the midfielder kick the ball away in frustration as he made his way from the pitch.



"It wasn't ideal. I didn't think it was a yellow card," Andrews explained. "I thought he was unfair for the majority of the game, and I still don't think it was a yellow card.



"I don't think he forgot I'd been booked. I think he was more than sure that it was my second, to be perfectly honest."



Manager Giovanni Trapattoni had full sympathy for Andrews but accepted he was wrong to react in the way he did.



"I spoke with him. I said, yes, also there is already advice to not have this reaction," he is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.



"We know before, this Euros, the referees, they are being serious. But he is a little angry. I understand why he is angry with this decision."



Andrews is set to miss the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan but he will also sit out the home tie against Germany if his suspension is doubled.

Xavi breaks Euro passing record

The Spain midfielder accrued 136 passes during La Roja's 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, surpassing Ronald Koeman's haul for the Netherlands.

Spain midfielder Xavi has broken the record for the most passes attempted and completed in a European Championship game during the 4-0 win over Republic of Ireland.

The midfield maestro attempted 136 passes on Thursday and completed 127 of them. The previous record of 117 attempted passes had been held by Netherlands legend Ronald Koeman, who accrued that total during the 1992 tournament in a clash against Denmark.



Spain also eclipsed another European Championship mark by attempting 860 passes against the Boys in Green.





La Roja brushed Giovanni Trapattoni's men aside with ease on Thursday, running out 4-0 winners and boasting 78 per cent possession.



They now top Group C alongside Croatia, who they face in the final round of group matches on Monday.