Munster head coach Rob Penney has hit out at the IRFU's stance over recruiting players from overseas as he bids to build his squad for next season while Ireland's taxation levels have meant the province has already lost out on two key signings for 2013-'14.

If you are going to achieve something as mad as spending nearly 27 years in the biggest job in football, you might as well bow out in equally ridiculous fashion.

Ronan O'Gara has dismissed any concerns about being appointed to coach his former Ireland rival Johnny Sexton at Racing Metro.

The latest addition to our stellar team of rugby writers reflects on the ups and downs of a magnificent playing career — and reveals the reasons why he's chosen to move to Paris to kick-start his coaching career.

David Moyes is set to meet the Manchester United squad this morning as he begins the task of following in Alex Ferguson's footsteps.

Limerick 1-25 Kilkenny 1-20 A near full-strength Limerick proved too strong for an experimental Kilkenny side in this senior hurling challenge in Martinstown last night but were made to work hard for their win.

Robin van Persie wishes Manchester United could have found a "Fergie Time" winner at West Brom yesterday to give Sir Alex Ferguson the perfect send-off.

Galway 0-11 Mayo 4-16 Five minutes to go in Salthill yesterday and James Horan was still cajoling his men to sew it into Galway.

Recent close calls against Limerick will ensure Cork are not complacent ahead of Saturday's Munster SFC quarter-final, according to captain Graham Canty.

It's a story familiar to GAA people all over the country. A stormy annual general meeting, members walking out, transfer applications handed in afterwards.

Coalition TDs have demanded to know if Alan Shatter has access to secret files on prominent politicians, journalists and public figures, as the controversy surrounding the justice minister continued to escalate.

The sleek white Lauren L yacht has become Cork's latest tourist attraction, and you have to admit, it definitely adds a touch of glamour to the place.

Yahoo said it is acquiring blogging service Tumblr for $1.1bn (€850m) cash, a bold bet by chief executive Marissa Mayer to revitalise the struggling internet pioneer by co-opting a web property with strong visitor traffic but little revenue.

Tensions between Germany and Hungary have flared over remarks by the countries' leaders, including references to Hitler's occupation of the eastern European country in 1944 and an irritated German government response condemning Hungary's allusion to the Nazi era as "deplorable derailment".

The value of Ryanair increased by more than €600m in one day's trading yesterday after the company reported stronger than expected results.

Permanent TSB has reported a huge increase in new account openings since it launched its no-fee current account.

Limerick's Division 1B defeat by Dublin won't be revisited despite the question of Paul Ryan's eligibility in the game.

Paul O'Connell has backed former Munster team-mate Ronan O'Gara to be a "great" coach after the fly-half announced he was retiring and taking a job on Racing Metro's backroom staff.

Rod Stewart said he was "over the moon" as he celebrated his 15th No 1 with a champagne toast.

ANDY McCluskey has mellowed.

The latest addition to our stellar team of rugby writers reflects on the ups and downs of a magnificent playing career — and reveals the reasons why he's chosen to move to Paris to kick-start his coaching career.

Today, inspirational teenager Dónal Walsh will be buried. This is an essay he wrote about how he dealt with his two crushing cancer diagnoses

A Fine Gael TD has revealed that pro-life activists have threatened to slit her throat and burn down her house.

It's a story familiar to GAA people all over the country. A stormy annual general meeting, members walking out, transfer applications handed in afterwards.

More than 300,000 people have left Ireland in the past four years. Tempting as it is, Ruairí McKiernan is prepared to stay to help make the country a better place

THERE are three reasons why a managed exit by Ireland from the eurozone is the most urgent economic priority. But first consider this reality.

DÓNAL Walsh will be buried today having fought two battles in his short life — one with cancer and one with our health service.

Paddy Power are today refunding all win and each way singles to customers who backed Ireland's Ryan Dolan for last night's Eurovision.

IF THERE'S a season for dieting then it has to be summer.

Leaflets criticising the TD who chairs the Dáil committee hearing opinion on legislating for the X case, and likening abortion to the Holocaust, are being sent to homes in Cork.