The Republic of Ireland will play warm-up matches against Bosnia Herzegovina and Hungary in the run-up to Euro 2012.The Irish team will face Bosnia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 26 May before departing for a week of training at Florence.

Two-goal Robbie Keane marked his full Aston Villa debut with a superb second-half winner against 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Mark Farren has signed a new contract with Derry City. The striker had been linked with a move away from the Brandywell but has decided to stay with the club. The Candystripes have also completed the signing of Rory Patterson. The Plymouth striker had been on loan with Irish League side Linfield. There had been problems over his registration but that has been sorted now and he has agreed a two-year deal with City.

New manager Declan Devine has also added Simon Madden to his squad. The defender joins City from Dundalk.

Meanwhile Dundalk have signed goalkeeper Ger Hanley from First Division side Mervue Utd. The youngster has agreed a one year deal at Oriel Park and is Dundalk's 11th signing.

 The FAI have released fixtures for an eight team First Division following Galway Utd's decision to withdraw their application. The structure of the division was agreed on at a meeting of the National League Executive Committee.

Tralee Dynamos and Cobh Ramblers had made applications and the NLEC decided that if a vacancy arises following the licensing process their applications will be considered by the FAI Board for the 2012 decision.

Salthill Devon have nominated Terryland Park as their home venue for the new season and they will play under the name SD Galway.

The fixtures are subject to the final decisions of the FAI Licensing Committee.

http://www.airtricityleague.ie/images/stories/2012_Airtricity_League_First_Division_Fixture_List.pdf

Dundalk FC have signed former captain Liam Burns on a one-year deal. He was previously with the club in 2009 and 2010 but left last season to join his former club Bohemians.

During his time at the Co. Louth club Burns made 62 appearances and scored three times. He was made club captain in February 2010.

The experienced defender won a League and Cup double with Bohs in 2008 and the First Division title with Sligo Rovers in 2005.

Burns becomes new manager Sean McCaffrey's tenth signing. Mark Griffin, Stephen McDonnell, Nathan Murphy, Eoghan Osborne, Derek Foran, Chris Shields, John Mountney, Shane O’Neill and Gary Shanahan have all put pen to paper at Oriel Park.

The first round draw consisting of eight teams is as follows:

Bray Wanderers -v- Glentoran

Bohemians -v- Portadown

Lisburn Distillery -v- Derry City

Cliftonville  -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

These fixtures will be played on the 13^th and 20^th February.

The four seeded teams include Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers, Linfield and Crusaders and these teams will be entered into the competition after the first round games have been completed.

Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook has been linked with a move to English League Two club Accrington Stanley. There is a vacancy at the club after John Coleman left to join Rochdale yesterday. A caretaker regime will be put in place for Saturday's clash with Gillingham but Accington Stanley are keen to fill the position soon, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Bray Wanderers have announce the signing of Jason Byrne for the 2012 season.

Former Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne winger Ollie Cahill has called time on his soccer career.

Extratime.ie speak to three of the new Shamrock Rovers signings, Killian Brennan, Conor Powell and Graham Gartland. Filmed by Peter O'Doherty with questions from Lisa Fallon and Fergus McNally.