The Republic of Ireland head into their daunting Euro 2024 qualifier clash with France without the man the nation had hoped might inspire a fightback. Stephen Kenny will send his troops into Group B battle with the World Cup runners-up at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening with in-form Brighton striker Evan Ferguson a frustrated by-stander after a knee injury forced his withdrawal from the squad, just as Ireland’s fledgling campaign reached crunch-point. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding a crucial fixture in Paris. Evan help us Ferguson’s absence leaves Kenny facing a rethink after integrating the 18-year-old into his starting line-up in recent games. His two goals in six senior appearances to date – as well as the Premier League hat-trick he scored against Newcastle at the weekend – had established him as a credible weapon with which Ireland could hurt Didier Deschamps’ all-stars. Without him, the manager must piece together a frontline from his remaining frontmen – Adam Idah, Chiedozie Ogbene, Aaron Connolly and Will Keane – who have five international goals between them, with Luton’s Ogbene responsible for four of them. All right on the night? Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty are two of Ireland’s most accomplished players, but their country’s misfortune is that both excel at right-back and successive managers have had to be inventive to get the pair into their team at the same time. With Coleman injured and Doherty suspended for the game at the Parc des Princes, Kenny needs to plug a sizeable gap. Preston’s Alan Browne, Bristol City summer signing Jason Knight or Festy Ebosele of Udinese, who is yet to win a senior cap, are the likely candidates for the wing-back role, although Kenny has hinted one of his central defenders could yet be redeployed. So near, yet so far Kenny’s men opened their campaign with a 1-0 home defeat by France, but things might have panned out very different. The visitors dominated the game in Dublin, but until a rare error from midfielder Josh Cullen allowed Benjamin Pavard to blast them in front, Kylian Mbappe and company had failed to trouble goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu unduly. Had it not been for a stunning late save from stopper Mike Maignan to deny Nathan Collins a last-gasp equaliser, the Republic might have emerged with something to show for their efforts. Similar resolve in Paris is the very least they will need to secure a better return. Point of no return? The Republic’s fate could be effectively decided by what happens in Paris and in Dublin on Sunday, when the Netherlands come to town, after the first three qualifiers yielded just three points. When the draw was made, it always looked like a battle between Ireland and Greece for third place behind two of Europe’s big guns and defeat in Athens in June gave Gus Poyet’s side the edge. Kenny has targeted this campaign since his appointment in April 2020 and logic suggests they need to win at least one of the two games to retain any hope at all. 2009 and all that Ireland and France have met on three occasions since, but for some the fixture will always rekindle memories of the night in November 2009 when Thierry Henry’s unnoticed handball at the Stade de France cost the Irish a trip to the World Cup finals. Wounds have healed over the last 14 years, but for assistant manager Keith Andrews and coach John O’Shea, who played that night, a measure of revenge in Paris might prove very welcome. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Port Vale unhappy with Robbie Williams – Wednesday’s sporting social Appeal for Daniel Dubois’ defeat to Oleksandr Usyk to be declared no-contest Rob Page: Wales would rather not play South Korea friendly with Latvia to come

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 26, 2023--

Industrial food producers in France have agreed to reopen price negotiations with supermarkets, ceding to government demands to

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday unveiled his economic agenda, a broad mix of conservative and populist guideposts that puts corporate boardrooms, federal bureaucrats, China and President Joe Biden's domestic policy on notice.

By Johann M Cherian and Bansari Mayur Kamdar U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors

The Danish government is exploring banning protests destroying holy texts over security concerns.

At the age of 35, Ecuador's president-elect Daniel Noboa is fulfilling the political dreams of his banana tycoon father, who failed five...

SHANGHAI China's yuan finished the domestic session on Friday at its weakest since the global financial crisis, hit

Draft season is in full swing and NBA Draft rumors are flying — the Warriors are working out a big sleeper, the Rockets are divided and Victor Wembanyama capes for his teammate.We're just over two weeks out from the NBA Draft and while the top is taking shape trades and high-rising pr...

The Buffalo Bills are turning their focus on their healthy players ready to step in to fill several holes on their injury-depleted defense in preparing to host the New York Giants on Sunday night

Jurgen Klopp speaks about Darwin Nunez being fully settled in at Liverpool and notes that everybody at the club is very happy with his progress at Anfield.

For a sport famously associated with quote-unquote counter-culture, skateboarding is hardly applauded for its inclusivity. For decades, cis white men have reigned as our uncontested poster children for the skate scene (think: Tony Hawk & Ryan Sheckler), and even now, female and transgender skaters attract far less flashy, widespread public recognition.