A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief...
Carr decides to hang up boots
FORMER NEWCASTLE and Tottenham defender Stephen Carr has announced his retirement from football.
The 32-year-old has decided to hang up his boots after failing to find himself a new club.
Carr has been without a club since leaving Newcastle at the end of last season. However, the ex-Republic of Ireland international has been unable to find a club and he has now opted to quit the game.
Fingal offer scholarship scheme
SPORTING FINGAL yesterday announced details of their new scholarship scheme which is to be run in conjunction with Dublin City University and the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. Under the terms of the plan, players signing for the club will be able to apply to do funded courses of study at one or other of the third level institutes.
"It's a tremendous initiative," said Sporting manager Liam Buckley at yesterday's launch. "It compares favourably with what I've experienced on the continent and will hugely support our plans for long term player development."
Breen to take on Barnet player/coach role
FORMER REPUBLIC of Ireland international Gary Breen was last night on the verge of returning to football in a player/coach role with English League Two side Barnet. The 34-year-old has been without a club since being released by Wolves manager Mick McCarthy at the start of the summer, writes Emmet Malone.
Breen has played for eight different English clubs, including Coventry City, Sunderland and West Ham during a senior career that spanned 17 years. On the international front, he earned 63 senior caps and played in all of Ireland's games at the 2002 World Cup finals.
He was due to take his medical at Barnet, who lie close to the foot of the League Two table, yesterday afternoon after agreeing personal terms for the dual role.
Moyes to move for Larsson
DAVID MOYES, the Everton manager, will reconsider a move for the veteran Sweden captain Henrik Larsson in January as he searches the loan market for reinforcements for his stricken strike force.
Everton may offer Larsson a short-term deal similar to the one he accepted from Manchester United in 2007, when he played from January until March during Sweden's close season, although whether the veteran remains receptive to the idea is uncertain.
Athlone in the manager business
ATHLONE TOWN have followed the lead of Dundalk by advertising for a new manager without letting their current one go, writes Emmet Malone.
Two weeks ago the first division champions announced they were seeking applications for the manager's job but said that John Gill might still be offered a new contract for next season after they had considered all options.
Now Athlone have followed suit, insisting their decision to invite other candidates to come forward is not a reflection on Dermot Lennon's position but rather the result of a policy decision, that the post should only be filled on a year to year basis.
The board of Drogheda United have called a public meeting to consider the future of the troubled club at Drogheda Institute of Technology for tomorrow night at 8.30. Club chairman Vincent Hoey, said that negotiations with potential investors are continuing but remain "slow".
SCOTTISH CUP Fourth round draw: Peterhead v Queen's Park; St Johnstone v Rangers; Raith Rovers or Alloa v Aberdeen; Falkirk v Queen of the South; Airdrie v Elgin City or Spartans; Inverurie Locos or Vale of Leithen v Motherwell; Ross County or Dumbarton v Hamilton; Forfar or Stranraer v Forres Mechanics or Dalbeattie Star; Inverness v Partick Thistle; Celticv Dundee; East Stirlingshire v Dundee United; Stenhousemuir v East Fife; Hibernian v Hearts; Lochee United or Ayr United v Kilmarnock; Dunfermline v Clyde; Edinburgh City or Brechin v St Mirren. Ties to be played January 10th-11th.
