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EVAN FERGUSON has taken a big step towards securing a shock loan move to AS Roma, according to reports.

Per Gianluca Di Marzio, the Ireland striker has chosen a move to the Italian capital as a means to rekindle his career.

Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

However, Brighton are reportedly seeking a transfer fee of €45 million should the Serie A club seek to make it permanent, a price to which Roma are hesitant to commit.

The 20-year-old is set to leave the Seagulls this summer after struggling to establish himself on loan at West Ham.

He made just eight Premier League appearances for the Hammers since joining in January, but played only 14 minutes in their last eight games.

And former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane compared it to his own move to West Brom aged 20 in 1997 and – particularly – Sunderland two years later.

He explained to SunSport via NetBet Online Casino Ireland: “I think the move in itself, the big move, everything that was around West Brom, probably took me six months really to fully become established.

“I played in the old Division 3 – League 2 and League 1. I’d had two years at that level, stepped up, took me a little time and then I felt I was starting to establish myself then or getting close to international set-up.

“I was probably very mature as a player. I was still developing as a player in my body as well.

“Physically I was going to get probably stronger along the way. My body was probably still developing until I was 22, 23 and beyond that as well, certainly physically.

“Certainly in those first two years, I was worried because I was finding really inconsistent spells when I’d gone to West Brom.”

After making 106 appearances for the Baggies, Kilbane moved to Sunderland for £2.5million in 1999.

It was a difficult first season, as they went winless between his debut against Southampton and March 2000.

Peter Reid’s side was eventually relegated from the Premiership, with Kilbane labelling his first six months at the Stadium of Light as a “write-off”.

He said: “I signed just before Christmas. Up until May that year, it was almost like a write-off for me.

“I was being seriously questioned.

“My whole Sunderland career probably in that first two years was probably, ‘he can’t cut the mustard’, ‘he can’t do this’, or whatever.

“It took me with Sunderland, probably 18 months before I felt really properly established.”

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Kilbane credited the influence of managers Peter Reid and Mick McCarthy for getting him through the hard times at the Stadium of Light.

And he reckons Evan Ferguson needs to have similar positive characters around him to do the same.

Kilbane added: “I was 22 then, Evan Ferguson‘s a lot younger than me.

“He’s going to have decisions to make across his career. He’s going to have spells of bad form and he’s going to have injuries and he’s going to have certain setbacks along the way.

“I had great managers around me. It was Peter Reid and it was Mick McCarthy. They gave me the belief and gave me the feeling of, ‘you’re going to be part of my squad, you’re going to be part of this.’

“That was the thing that I probably needed.

“I always look back at my own career and feel as though it was underachievement because of the certain attributes that I would have had when I was coming through.

“You’ve got to do everything that’s going to get you in the team and keep you in the starting 11 week in, week out.

“I started to learn that very early in my career and how to do that.

“That was the fortunate thing for me, again, that I had people around me that could have guided me.”

LOVE Island’s Shakira will tell a villa hunk that she didn’t think he had it in him as the pair seemingly strike up a romance in tonight’s episode.

Shakira will tell one of her close boy pals “I didn’t think you’d have the balls” in Monday night’s episode.

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Shakira and Conor get close in tonight’s Love Island[/caption]

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Conor makes a move for Shakira after the two have had a good friendship[/caption]

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Shakira is stunned by the revelation[/caption]

The day after Movie Night, Conor and Shakira head to the Firepit to discuss “uncharted territory”.

He tells her: “There’s definitely other girls here that I’d still like to get to know…

“Why haven’t I tried it with you?”

Surprised, Shakira replies: “You are my friend, if we ended and you’d be on bad terms with me..

“I’d never want that…”

Conor then continues: “Maybe something worth thinking about…

“It makes sense.”

Shakira replies: “This is such a spanner in the works right now…

“It’s a spanner I didn’t think you’d have the balls to do.”

Conor first matched with Helena before moving on with Toni, who he claimed was more his type.

But then Emily turned up and caught his eye and left Toni reeling.

A few days later, Conor started flirting with Megan but the two never actually made it into a couple as Megan was dumped.

Then, after Casa Amor, Conor recoupled with Harry’s ex Emma, with Emily left dumped.

Shakira was first coupled with Harry before Helena turned his head.

She then got close to Ben before realising the pair were not a good fit.

Shakira briefly got back with Harry before he went back to Helena again.

During Casa Amor, Shakira recoupled with Ty.

Reacting to the First Look teaser about Shakira and Conor getting close, fans have flocked to X to share their thoughts.

One person said: “I’d be here for Shakira and Conor if he doesn’t mess her around! But why does he always wait ages to tell a girl he likes her?! They could have gotten together a long time ago!”

While another wrote: “I don’t trust Ty and I actually think Conor truly likes Shakira, I think Shakira’s been his fave from the start.”

And a third said: “Conor with Shakira??? A big No!!! I truly believe when Conor leaves the villa, he will go back to Megan. Shakira please stay with Ty.”

LOVE ISLAND CONTINUES TONIGHT AT 9PM ON ITV2 AND ITVX.

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Will Conor and Shakira get it on?[/caption]

A TEENAGER who tragically died on a beach after being buried alive in a hole in the sand has been pictured.

Riccardo Boni, 17, choked to death when a sand tunnel he built collapsed on him on a beach in north-west Italy.

Riccardo was on holiday with his family from Rome when he dug the one and a half meter deep hole at the Montalto di Castro beach.

Emergency services were called to reports of the lifeless teenager who was visually impaired.

His five-year-old brother reportedly raised the alarm, screaming to his mum: “Riccardo is under the sand.”

A swimmer who was nearby at the time of the incident told local news: “He had built a tunnel. He wanted to enter from one side and exit from the other.

“But as he passed through, when he reached the centre, everything collapsed and the hole was completely covered.

“You couldn’t see anything anymore; you could have walked right through it and not noticed a thing.”

Another local added that there were no screams or sounds as the boy was buried “in a matter of moments”.

He said: “When the sand closes in on you, it’s incredibly heavy.

“It doesn’t even let a little oxygen in, and it’s not easy to extract people because it tends to collapse. A few minutes later, they die of suffocation.”

Police and an air ambulance were called to help pull the boy from the sand, but despite paramedics’ best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Montalto Mayor Emanuela Socciarelli told ANSA: “A tragedy that has left us all shocked.

“It’s unthinkable that a young man could lose his life in this way.

“I want to offer my sincere condolences to this family, to whom we are all truly deeply connected.”

All public events have been suspended today to “join in silent embrace with the family”.

Local authorities said: “Deepest condolences for the tragic passing of the young man. In such a time of great grief, we extend our deepest sympathies to the boy’s parents and family, affected by this terrible tragedy.

“As a sign of respect, all public events scheduled for Friday, July 11, are suspended. The community of Montalto joins in silent embrace with the family.”

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The tragedy unfolded on Montalto di Castro beach, on the border of the Tarquinia region[/caption]

A DIVORCED mum has been ordered to stump up £80,000 for her ex-husband’s gender swap surgery – even though it tore their marriage apart.

The furious 60-year-old mum-of-two split from her husband after he revealed he wanted to start hormone therapy in 2022.

 The couple, who married in 2002, led a “very international lifestyle living in several countries in different continents and purchasing properties in various countries”.

But a judge at Brighton Family Court ruled that splitting the cost of his transition was “reasonable” because it was a “need” not a “whim”.

The wife claimed her husband’s decision to transition led to the breakdown of the their marriage.

And so, she said it was unfair for her to pay £80,000 for the procedure.

Her 58-year-old ex claimed his wife “always knew” he was trans, and told the court: “Denying my request is like saying someone who had cancer should not have the surgery.”

He also claimed he couldn’t afford child support – despite blowing £14,000 of shared funds in a single month on “clothing, nails, jewellery and restaurants.”

In 2024 the husband, who was retraining as a masseuse, splashed £160,000 on the transition – using cash from the couple’s £3million joint pot, even though they’d been separated for two years.

The court battle racked up an eye-watering £1million in legal fees.

His ex-wife “was adamant that she was not aware the respondent wished to transition until the end of the marriage”.

She began divorce proceedings after her husband announced he wanted to live as a lesbian woman instead.

The judge admitted the husband “showed no understanding” of how his choice affected others – but still ruled the funds must come from shared assets.

He displayed a “striking lack of empathy”, the judge said.

The husband had declared: “You marry a trans person. You live with a trans person. You benefit from a trans person.”

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The court battle racked up an eye-watering £1million in legal fees[/caption]

RORY McILROY explained why he got an eye-catching haircut before the Scottish Open – joking that it “makes me look more grey”.

McIlroy, 36, debuted the new look at the Renaissance Club during the week, with his trademark curly locks abandoned for a closer cut.

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Rory McIlroy debuted a new haircut at the Scottish Open[/caption]

It led to fans joking that he “looks more and more like Mr Bean” while it prompted an explanation on CBS.

He revealed: “You know, I am getting a little grey as everybody probably knows and I stupidly thought that by going shorter, it would take the greys out.

“If anything, I think it makes me look more grey. It’ll grow back, that’s the good thing. It’ll be perfect for the Ryder Cup in September.”

His year has already been a triumph after winning The Masters back in April.

It brought to an end a 10-year wait for a major, while the Holywood ace became just the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam.

Winning The Open on home soil at Portrush next week would add to the legacy of the 36-year-old and he completes preparations at the Scottish Open.

And he revealed he is motivated by wanting to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic.

He said: “That ability to stay on top of your game for a long period of time takes so much out of you.

“It’s one of the underappreciated things about any sport. Look at what Djokovic is doing at Wimbledon over the last few weeks.

“Or look what someone like Cristiano Ronaldo is doing at 40 or Tom Brady in American football.

“That longevity is something that isn’t talked about enough. Once you get to a certain level, it is so difficult to maintain it.

“I feel like the journey on the way up is almost — I’m not going to say it’s easy but you have momentum and you’re riding a wave to the top.

“Once you get there it takes as much work, if not more, to stay there.”

And he name-checked Scottie Scheffler as a talent who has emerged as one of his new rivals.

He added: “Before I won The Masters this year, the last Major I won was in 2014. I never heard of Scottie Scheffler then.

“These talents and these players just keep coming and keep getting better each and every generation.

“You have to adapt your game to make sure that you’re able to hang with those guys.

“I feel like I’m one generation ahead of Scottie, who is still in his 20s.

“So I have to constantly ask myself, ‘Is there something that I need to add to my repertoire to stay ahead?’

“I’ve been winning pro events for 16 years and retaining my drive to keep getting a little bit better. That’s a big piece of staying competitive.”

THE aftermath from the Love Island Movie Night will see two girls face off in tonight’s episode.

Love Island beauty Meg Moore, 25, has been coupled up with Dejon Noel-Williams, 26, since the start of the series.

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Meg and Dejon have been coupled up since the start of the season[/caption]

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But things look to be going wrong for the couple[/caption]

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Andrada was brought back to the villa by Ben[/caption]

But during Casa Amor, which happened last week on the hit ITV2 show, Dejon got close to newcomer Andrada.

Although Dejon and Andrada hit it off in the second villa, the pair didn’t couple up.

Andrada instead coupled with Ben, whom she had a strong sexual connection with.

But Meg learned of Dejon’s Casa connection when Ben walked in with Andrada on his arm.

And in the aftermath of Movie Night, which saw Dejon flirting with Andrada in the Casa villa – things are set to kick off.

Tonight’s episode will see Meg and Andrada face off in tense shouting match over Dejon.

By the Firepit, Meg shares her disappointment with Dejon: “You’re playing a game D, and I’m not playing it with you.”

After fraught words, Dejon tells Meg: “I’m done with this conversation,” and abruptly walks off. 

As the Islanders get ready for bed, tensions rise between Meg and Andrada.

After Meg finds out that Andrada told the girls to be quiet so that she could listen in to a discussion between Meg and Dejon, she confronts her.

She says: “Andrada don’t be in here saying shush to hear my conversation with D.”

Andrada replies: “Pipe down, who do you think you’re shouting at?

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s right with you?” Meg fires back.

The exchange continues to get heated, but will the two end up making up?

Also due to happen in Sunday night’s episode is an exchange between Ben and Andrada.

The pair sit down for a chat and he tells her: “I’m bored of the whole you and D thing.

“I don’t know what your intentions actually are in here…”

LOVE ISLAND CONTINUES TONIGHT AT 9PM ON ITV2 AND ITVX.

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Andrada is coupled up with Ben after the two met amid Casa Amor[/caption]

A CITY’s historic open air market which has survived the Vikings, the Norman Conquest, the Black Death and two world wars is perhaps facing its biggest crisis yet.

Angry stallholders claim the 1,200-year-old market in the centre of Cambridge could wither and die if major redevelopment plans drawn up by local councillors get the go ahead.

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Cambridge Market is over 1,200 years old[/caption]

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Market trader Tom Wells says he thinks the council wants to ‘bulldoze’ the market[/caption]

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Locals have launched a ‘Save Our Market’ campaign[/caption]

They fear the £12.6million scheme would turn the place into “a playground for tourists” like trendy Borough Market in London, full of fast food stalls and gift shops selling tacky Harry Potter-style souvenirs.

The number of permanent pitches would also be chopped by more than half, with dozens of demountable stalls introduced, which are able to be quickly cleared for the space to double for performances and other activities.

It could mean local residents are no longer be able to go there seven days a week to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, bread, books and even bicycles.

The council is adamant the “ambition” is to ensure a more “flexible” and modern space in much-need to a face lift.

It is hoped it will also free up funds in the long-term to be reinvested elsewhere, as well as protect businesses against late-night anti-social behaviour.

But many of the traders The Sun spoke to during our visit this week were sceptical about the plans.

“They just want to gentrify it and make it look all pretty,” said fed-up Tom Kennedy, who is already packing in the lease on his stall doing bike repairs. “They don’t want us grease monkeys here!

“It’s a shame. This market could be absolutely epic if they didn’t put a bunch of pen-pushing bureaucrats in charge – folk who couldn’t organise a p***-up in a brewery,” he told The Sun.

“When they were drawing up plans for the market they promised they’d listen to our concerns. Well, they did – but then didn’t take a blind bit of notice.”

Carlos, 38, who was selling coffee from his homeland of Colombia at a nearby stall, agreed.

“This market is the soul of Cambridge,” he explained. “It’s right in the middle of the city and a lovely place both to work and shop. All the traders support each other.

“But all that could be destroyed if these plans go ahead. We need to conserve the market for future generations not destroy it.”

Cambridge Council is proposing a massive Civic Quarter project which would spruce up the nearby Guildhall and the Corn Exchange.

But as part of the plans, centuries-old cobbles in the market square would be torn up and then replaced, with the current 81 stalls reduced to around 30 along with the 58 temporary gazebos.

The square would then be used as a performance area for music concerts or theatrical shows as well as for the market.

Ian Mortlock, 55, who does a roaring trade selling sun hats in summer and then warm gloves and scarves during winter, said: “It’s a big worry.

“This won’t help the small traders like me. Rents are bound to go up and we will be squeezed out by the big chains.”

They just want to gentrify it and make it look all pretty. They don’t want us grease monkeys here! It’s a shame. This market could be absolutely epic if they didn’t put a bunch of pen-pushing bureaucrats in charge – folk who couldn’t organise a p***-up in a brewery.

Tom Kennedymarket trader

Ken Woollard, 66, waved an arm over his stall where they’ve been selling fresh fruit and vegetables for more than 100 years.

“They’re going to take all the cobbles up and then they’ve got to put them back down again because they’re listed,” he said, while selling some delicious-looking cherries for a pound. “You do wonder why they bother.

“Perhaps they’ve got to do something. But these flimsy gazebos they’re talking about won’t do for us. There won’t be anywhere near enough room to display our fruit and veg.”

Tom Wells, 20, whose stall was displaying a bizarre fossil of a mammoth’s jaw among crystal gems and ammonites from around the world, feared the worst if the plans are approved.

He said: “I think the council would like to bulldoze the market and see it disappear completely so they can use the area as a permanent open air events arena.

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Archie Starrs says there is no way he could operate in one if the proposed gazebos[/caption]

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Kevin Wollard shows off his fresh strawberries for sale[/caption]

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Tom Kennedy has already decided to pack in the lease on his bike stall[/caption]

“Or failing that they’d like to turn it into a trendy Borough Market-type place, full of fancy food stalls, catering for tourists but ignoring the needs of local residents.

“They talk about consultation. And ask us what we want. But then they go and do the exact opposite.”

Fishmonger Archie Starrs, 21, who has stall on the market four days a week, said there was no way he could operate in one if the proposed gazebos.  

He added: “I don’t know whether we would be able to function at all under the new scheme. But knowing this council, at the end of the day I have my doubts that anything will ever happen at all.”

Shopper Mandy Davies-Kent, walking her dog Bear through the market, sympathised with the stallholders.

“I’ve been coming here for 30 years and the market was once so diverse,” she said. “But a lot of traders have been priced out

“A friend of mine used to have a stall selling lovely old rugs and antiques, and there were all kinds of organic food. You could even get ostrich eggs here.

“But unfortunately the market is losing its character. There is too much tourist tat here these days.”

We only found one stallholder who was happy with the plans. Minnie, 36, from Thailand, reckoned it would be good for her stall selling gelato and lemonade drinks flavoured with honey.

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Shopper Mandy Davies-Kent[/caption]

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Hat seller Ian Mortlock said the plans are a ‘big worry’[/caption]

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The market area is included in the city council’s ambitious redevelopment plans[/caption]

“Everybody has a different opinion,” she said. “And that is good. But I think the council’s new plans would benefit my business so I am quite happy.”

One of the scheme’s biggest opponents is Anne Garvey, who edits the Cambridge Critique magazine and lives just  a few minutes walk from the market.

She and her architect husband Stephen have been have been doing the bulk of their shopping there  for almost 40 years and want to continue doing so.  

“You used to be able to buy everything you needed there,” said Anne, who is now supporting a petition to save the market.

“There were greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, cheese stalls, jewellers, florists, fabric shops – you name it and somebody sold it. Some traders would even deliver to your home.

“But now it is becoming full of ice cream shops and fudge shops. More and more of Cambridge’s traditional upmarket businesses are disappearing and being replaced with shops selling Harry Potter souvenirs and other tat.

“It’s all very jolly. But it’s not very authentic!”

In November last year, city councillor Simon Smith said the market would not be “destroyed” after it “survived Vikings, Black Death, wars and recessions”.

He added that people in the city needed to get a “sense of perspective”, reports CambridgeshireLive.

He said at the project is still at an early stage and that they would continue to discuss the designs and proposals with traders and members of the public.

It survived Vikings, Norman conquest, several outbreaks of the Black Death, Civil War, multiple harvest failures, innumerable economic recessions, two world wars, can we just get a sense of perspective in this city, this council is not out to destroy the market.

Cllr Simon SmithCambridge City Council

During a meeting on November 28, Cllr Smith said: “There are people worried that we are about to destroy the market; if there is one thing about the 1,200 year market it is resilience.

“It survived Vikings, Norman conquest, several outbreaks of the Black Death, Civil War, multiple harvest failures, innumerable economic recessions, two world wars, can we just get a sense of perspective in this city, this council is not out to destroy the market.”

He added that the authority hoped the changes proposed would also reduce the city council’s operating costs.

A majority of councillors agreed to move forward to the next design stage, aiming to submit a planning application over summer 2025.

‘Our plans have been adapting in line with feedback’

Councillor Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment, told The Sun in a statement: “We remain committed to supporting the thriving seven-day market on the market square, with the same square meterage of stalls as there is currently.

“Our plans have been adapting in line with traders’ feedback, including increasing the number of permanent stalls being proposed to 36, alongside 58 demountable stalls.

“Feedback from our recent consultation supports an approach that allows more space to host events throughout the year. 

“All traders who have a contract when any construction works begin will be able to return to the new market so, unless they choose not to, the variety of products on offer for local people and tourists is not set to change.

“We have also committed to freezing rents for the first year after the works are completed. Our new balance of trade policy also shows our commitment to getting the right balance of stalls, which the current market achieves. 

“Anyone who has visited the market will have seen that the floor desperately needs relaying, as well as the need for new underground bins, electrics and lighting.

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Minnie believes the changes will be good for her stall selling gelato and lemonade drinks[/caption]

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It is one of the oldest markets in the UK[/caption]

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Carlos says the market is the ‘soul of Cambridge’[/caption]

“So the market itself and the surroundings will see much-needed improvements. The consultation showed support for a new covered seating area with a wide range of seating styles, more pedestrianisation in and around the square to improve accessibility, improved cleanliness, and more greenery.

“We are proposing to provide all of this, with new seating areas including a new covered area to offer places with sun shade or rain shelter to support those eating food from the market.

“The pavement, road and setts on and around the market currently prevent people from accessing the market if they are wheelchair or pushchair users; we will be resurfacing the whole area to make it much more accessible, while preserving the Victorian granite setts. We will also be planting to make the area more biodiverse and provide natural shade in the square.

“The ambition of the project is also to enable more flexible use of the space so that, on quieter days when there isn’t such a demand from traders for stalls, we would have the option of holding events in the square or there just being open space for residents to enjoy.

“The demountable stalls will allow flexibility to expand and contract depending on demand from traders. This would be similar to other markets across the UK and Europe, which also use demountable stalls like the ones that have recently been trialled by Cambridge Market traders.

“We hear regularly from traders and the wider community that late night antisocial behaviour in the market square is a concern, and that having stalls standing vacant contributes to this as it enables antisocial behaviour to take place hidden from CCTV cameras and natural observation.

“The ability to put away the demountable stalls overnight will help to address this concern for the community too.

“This work is being carried out with the support of a Markets Expert and our Markets Manager who have supported the development of a new Business Plan for the market, which sets out an improved service offer for traders including enhanced cleaning, waste management processes, and a team to construct and deconstruct the demountable stalls.

“This improved offer will see a phased increase in rents in the coming years, which will bring rents more in line with those charged in other thriving UK markets, reflecting the enhanced level of support.”

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Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk

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There are currently 80 stalls[/caption]

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Locals visit the market every day[/caption]

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Daniel Radcliffe as the title character in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets[/caption]

CITY OF MALOLOS—A 40-year-old man with a heart ailment died of acute coronary syndrome on Saturday after he had a medical emergency while waiting for his turn to receive the government’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here on Saturday. Walfredo Ople Catajan, Jr., from Barangay Sto. Niño of Hagonoy town, was

Emil Sumangil thanked people who messaged him Kapuso journalist Emil Sumangil said that he is very much alive amid worried messages he received because of her absence from his shows. To recall, Emil interviewed Julie “Dondon” Patidongan or Alias Totoy, the supposed “whistleblower” in the “missing sabungeros” case. During the interview, Patidongan named businessman Atong ... Read more

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ANDREW TRIMBLE claimed Jack Crowley has “not been getting any love” amid his battle with Sam Prendergast for Ireland’s No10 jersey.

Crowley, 25, has been in a fight to cement himself as Johnny Sexton‘s successor amid the rise of the Leinster starlet.

David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

It started well, as he helped Ireland win the 2024 Six Nations and started the first nine games after Sexton’s retirement.

However, an underwhelming performance against the All Blacks that November has seen Prendergast overtake him.

The 22-year-old started in all but one of Ireland’s Six Nations games this year, with Crowley getting the nod from Andy Farrell for the final day dead rubber against Italy.

This has continued into the summer series, with Prendergast starting the win over Georgia while Crowley replaced him in the starting XV in the 106-7 hammering of Portugal on Saturday.

Speaking on Virgin Media Sport before the latter, Andrew Trimble expressed sympathy for the Munster man, who he believes has not done all that much wrong.

The former Ulster wing said: “It has been difficult and I suppose as Irish rugby commentators or people who are interested, we are often obsessed with 10.

“We were obsessed with Johnny Sexton for years.

“We felt like, okay, Jack Crowley stepped up, won a Six Nations, filled the shoes of Johnny Sexton. Okay, we can stop talking about this for a while. Cue Prendergast.

“It’s been complex, it’s been difficult to get your head around exactly what is going on or what the mechanisms are.”

Trimble believes Crowley has fallen victim to Farrell’s ruthlessness, while suggesting Sam Prendergast has not had it as hard.

He added: “Farrell is known for reading the room, understanding people, connecting with people, but he’s also lesser known for being ruthless.

“On this occasion, I think we have seen the ruthless version of Farrell because we have not heard from Crowley.

“He has gotten absolutely no love from internally.

“Everything has been handed to Prendergast and I think their graphs have crossed a little bit.”

The 40-year-old praised Crowley for responding to circumstances with aplomb.

In the Portugal game that followed Trimble’s comments, he kicked 12 of 15 conversions.

And the former Ireland international said: “I think we have seen a very good version of him.

“I think we have seen a lot of character in him that maybe we haven’t seen from other people if they were in the same circumstances.

“Prendergast probably dropped off towards the end of the season and then the debate has raged as a result but I think Crowley has really handled himself admirably.

“Looking in from the outside, it doesn’t look apparent and obvious what he has done wrong.

“You can only assume there is something; maybe he hasn’t led the team correctly. maybe he hasn’t managed the week correctly behind the scenes.

“I don’t know but certainly what you see on the pitch, it seems tough his last six or nine months since Prendergast got that start.”