2/1 The Sports Pages

A last gasp Joe Cole goal helps keep 'Woy' in the job at Liverpool, Manchester United look ominous, while Michael O Muircheartaigh pays tribute to the late John Doyle.

Reports of Saturday’s Premier League action dominate the back pages this morning, with most of the rags choosing to focus on a last-gasp victory for Liverpool over Bolton at Anfield, which may just have saved Roy Hodgson’s bacon as manager of the Reds.

‘Scrappy New Year’ goes the headline on the back page of the Irish Daily Star Sunday, who report of Woy's insistence that he still has the support of his players if not the supporters following a 2-1 win over Owen Coyle’s side which owed largely to the influence of captain Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole’s first goal for the club in stoppage time at the end of the second half.

‘Safe for Now’ is the headline in the Sunday Times with regard to Hodgson’s future on Merseyside, while the Sunday Independent chose instead to focus on Manchester United’s incredibly lucky 2-1 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns which kept them on top of the Premier League.

‘United send ominous message to title rivals’ screams the Indo, suggesting that United’s ability to claim three points despite not playing anywhere near their best will stand them in good stead when the title race comes down for decision later this year.

It being January and all, the sports pages would not be complete without a couple of juicy transfer stories and the Sunday World are happy to oblige, suggesting that three Premier League clubs are interested in signing our very own Robbie Keane.

Forgive us for arguing the fact that the three clubs mentioned – Birmingham, Newcastle and Wolves, have been linked with the player ad nauseum since well before the start of the transfer window, but it seems that Keane will indeed be on his way out of White Hart Lane in the next month.

It would take £6 million (€7 million) to prise Keane away from North London and the Sunday World are suggesting that Birmingham is the most likely destination as Alex McLeish seeks reinforcements ahead of what is likely to be a mightily competitive relegation battle.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, commentating great Michael O Muircheartaigh pays tribute to a gentleman of Tipperary hurling, John Doyle, who passed away earlier this week. Writing in the Irish Daily Star Sunday this morning, O Muircheartaigh speaks of the eight time All-Ireland winner in reverential tones and of his love for our native games.

Michael recalls a conversation between the pair during which Doyle said: Where would the likes of me be without it (the GAA); I was an ordinary person but through the GAA I became known and welcome all over this country.”