FALLING STOCK

Joe Hart

He was poor in a loan spell at Torino and has managed to bring that form with him to West Ham. Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland might fancy their chances of involvement with England at the World Cup.

The FAI

A strong effort was really needed to push the FAI Cup final and they did not deliver it with their best initiative – a great deal for adults and children – unveiled a massive three days before the game during school holidays.

Darron Gibson

At least he is back playing games but Gibson has been involved in just two league wins since joining Sunderland in January and his name is not even mentioned around international gatherings any more. He has just turned 30 but his career looks set to be a case of what could have been.

Ireland on the market for €4.5m transfer

STEPHEN IRELAND’s football career has gone quiet these days – he’s on the comeback trail from injury at Stoke – but he did make it back into the news over the weekend when it emerged that his house is up for sale.

For just €4.5m the “exceptional contemporary residence” could be yours. The 8,000sq ft gaff has its own swimming pool, astroturf five-a-side pitch, a gym and, of course, his €112,000 fish tank. It’s a fairly stunning reminder of what the modern Premier League footballer can attain on the back of a few reasonable seasons.