O’Leary, Leeds reach deal

By Sean Creedon

Former Irish international David O’Leary has got a an improved six-year contract from Leeds United, after just one full season in charge.

The new deal is reported to be worth £10 million. O’Leary has not won anything with Leeds, but he has got them into Europe and, significantly, has persuaded all of the top names at the club to commit themselves to long-term contracts, which is of immense value to the club in these times of the free transfers.

Meanwhile, Ireland have always had a strong connection with Arsenal, and there was a time in the 1970s when the Republic had six senior internationals, from North and South, playing for The Gunners.

Nowadays the number of Irishmen at Highbury has dropped, but the country have seven women playing for the Arsenal women’s team. Carol Conlon, Yvonne Tracy, Grainne Kierans, Caroline Thorpe, Ciara Grant, Susan Heapes and Emma Byrne are all learning the skills at Highbury. The women are all part-time at present, but of course they would love to turn professional.

"I hope to turn professional, possibly in America, where women’s soccer has really taken off,” said Grainne Kierans, who is from Drogheda.