1.  It is not the first time Irish players have had to endure bitter disappointment.

2.  Republic of Ireland B international Tony McCarthy is one of three Irish players on trial at Ayresome Park this week.

3.  After a spring visit to Notre Dame, Reedy returned impressed with the low body-fat ratios of Irish players.

4.  Cloud sat stunned while the Irish players celebrated.

5.  It is something heard a lot among Irish players.

6.  Last year, a former Irish national player, Tony Cascarino, admitted that he did not have the Irish grandmother he had claimed to get citizenship.

7.  Last season, several Boston College players celebrated a victory at Notre Dame by pulling up chunks of sod as souvenirs, something that rankled Irish players.

8.  Perked up by this early lead, the emerald-clad Irish players never gave an opening to the Saudis, who were dressed in desert whites.

9.  The idea is to keep the Irish players fresh in February.

10.  The Irish players, whom Collier called the most powerful in the world, have established a thriving conglomerate of stud farms throughout Europe, North America and Australia.