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10% tax on junk food to tackle obesityA 10% tax on fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits, crisps, and chocolate is to be recommended to the health minister as a way of tackling the country's soaring obesity problem.
Prayer vigil for fine weather as farmers queue for fodderA 24-hour prayer vigil for fine weather has been held on the Kerry-Cork border.
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How Star Trek predicted the futureWHEN Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first dreamed up the concept of a television show based in the unexplored universe of Outer Space in 1964, the world was a very different place.
BIG READ: A week in the online terror worldMichael Moynihan on his week in the online terror underworld.
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IBRC delays loan valuations, saleThe valuation and sale of IBRC loans has been pushed out by six months to November and December of this year.
The smart money is always on SeánFounded four decades ago, its annual turnover is now €2bn.
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The Terry Reilly Interview: The Godfather of GalwayOver the course of almost half a century, Liam Sammon has been in service to Galway football. Now he hopes a new generation can restore county pride.
Super Blues keep double in sightsJoe Schmidt's side won their third European trophy in successive years and gave Connacht reason to celebrate also as the Westerners gained entry to next season's Heineken Cup courtesy of their neighbours to the east.
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You’re not gay. You’re in a bromance. Did you cry with your buddy while watching Fergie say farewell at Old Trafford?
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Breaking stories
North injury dents Sligo’s title hopes
By Paul Buttner
Sligo Rovers’ hopes of lifting their first league title since 1977 were dealt a serious blow last night with the news that striker Danny North is out for the remainder of the season.
Englishman North, who has scored half of league leaders Sligo’s 28 goals this season, damaged knee ligaments in Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Slovak side Spartak Trnava.North had a first-half penalty saved before going off injured five minutes into the second half as Sligo drew 1-1 on the night to go out on a 4-2 aggregate.
The 24-year-old revealed on Twitter yesterday afternoon that, following a scan, the injury was worse than feared and that he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee, would need an operation and that his season is over.
“Ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament, out for the season, gotta have an op. Devastated,” said North striker on his Twitter account.
While making no official comment last night, the club are believed to be seeking a second opinion on the extent of the injury before any surgery and would hope that North, who only last week signed a contract extension until the end of 2013, would be back fit for the start of next season.
Tomorrow’s scheduled league meeting between St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers at Richmond Park has been postponed due to St Patrick’s progressing through to the third qualifying round of the Europa League. No new date for the fixtures has been to be confirmed.
The Saints who beat Bosnian side Siroki Brijeg 2-1 in Inchicore on Thursday night to win their second round tie 3-2 aggregate, now play Bundesliga club Hannover 96 in the first leg at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night with the return in Germany on August 9.
Christy Fagan grabbed an extra-time winner on Thursday night to earn Pat’s their glamour tie with the Bundesliga giants.
“It was unbelievable, (I’m) just ecstatic,” said a delighted Fagan.
Midfielder Greg Bolger said: “Against Hannover we will represent the Irish league as best as we can and we will see — you never know. This is the opportunity to compare yourself to top players. We will do our best.”
Tickets for Thursday’s Europa League qualifying match against Hannover 96 will go on sale from Monday at 9.30am.
* Bray Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Drogheda United winger Dean Marshall.
The winger has struggled for action since signing for Mick Cooke’s Drogheda side.
The 22-year-old becomes Pat Devlin’s eighth capture of the summer.
Marshall could make his Seagulls debut today as English League Two side Bradford City face Bray in a friendly clash.