David Murphy’s dream of winning four successive European gold road-bowling medals is still alive as he is named on the Irish team to contest next May’s European Championships in Garding, Germany.

THE man on the radio said Niall Tóibín could be regarded as Ireland’s Billy Connolly, which established that the man giving the tribute was probably less than half Tóibín’s 90 years and, as a result,recalled the performer mainly from appearances on The Late Late Show, where he did the equivalent of stand-up before stand-up was cool.

Aidan Murphy and Cathal Toal contest what looks an evenly balanced All-Ireland senior bowling final at Tullysaran in Armagh on Sunday.

Gary Daly gained a maximum 18 points in the first day of the Mick Barry Cup at Ballincurrig to lead the race for the last spot in the 2019 Hurley’s of Midleton King of the Roads.

Michael Bohane is Munster Intermediate champion following a commanding win over Paul Buckley at Baile Bhuirne on Sunday.

IN our always-on lives all too often one of the first casualties is sleep. For TV presenter Elaine Crowley, it’s a constant challenge. “I have awful trouble getting to sleep. And if I wake up I can’t go back,” says the host of Virgin Media’s show, Elaine.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Billy Connolly’s love of football, like a slick passing move from one penalty box to another, can be traced back through the length of his long career, writes Brendan O'Brien

Italian politics have, for decades, been good for a laugh, thanks, in part, to Silvio Berlusconi, who, despite being seen in smart European circles as a clown, served for nine years in four administrations, as prime minister. He was the country’s longest-serving post-war head of government.

In advance of his show at the 3Arena, the American stand-up tells Richard Fitzpatrick about his role in Breaking Bad and the rise and fall of Kari-Jokie.

Billy Connolly has said "men will have to get a grip on themselves" in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal gripping the entertainment industry.

Billy revealed in 2013 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and prostate cancer on the same day, but since has been given the all-clear from cancer.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

This week we meet up with Mark Cagney, the 60-year-old host of TV3’s Ireland AM.

The start of the Premier League season has Gary Lineker returning on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.30pm tonight. 

TV3 presenter Kirsteen O’Sullivan is excited about Extra Time, the new football entertainment show she’s co-hosting during Euros season with Joe Molloy from Off The Ball.

SATURDAY

We met up with Dublin-born Risteárd Cooper - one third of the Après Match crew - to find out what makes him tick. 

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Limerick funnyman Karl Spain is one of the team captains on comedy panel show Don’t Quote Me!

Comedian Billy Connolly has revealed how his battle with Parkinson’s disease has pushed him to pen a series of letters to his grandchildren.

Billy Connolly is refusing to let Parkinson's disease bring him down.

With Ireland’s biggest comedy festival kicking off in the capital next week, some of the biggest names on the circuit today are gearing up to get down to business.

Your guide to tonight's TV.

June Rodgers performs some of her hilarious characters in her new show, says Richard Fitzpatrick.

A HSE report questioned if children’s death certs were falsified at Bessborough to enable ‘brokering’ of adoptions, Gardaí in Kerry are investigating criminal damage worth thousands of euro to a luxury holiday home in Aghadoe, the pressure on Sepp Blatter has intensified. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

I HAVE no intention of going anywhere. I’m grand. Fit as a fiddle. I’ve passed that point where, as comedian Billy Connolly says, every movement is accompanied by an involuntary groan, writes Fergus Finlay

Check out our guide to the best of today's TV.

Your guide to tonight's television.

CATHY Belton is having a ball playing Patricia Hennessy in new TV3 soap Red Rock.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies ****

Computer consoles can help improve the lives of people with the neurological disease Parkinson’s, researchers have found.

SCROLL down through Jamie Heaslip’s Twitter page and you’ll see a shot of his man brunch: double eggs, sunny side up over a mountain of diced beetroot and roast swede. 

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what’s good to watch on the box tonight.

This week’s new movie released include raucous British comedy What We Did On Our Holiday, Denzel Washington in The Equalizer and David Cronenberg’s gritty insider drama Maps To The Stars.

Billy Connolly wishes he "could have done more" to help Robin Williams.

Independence campaigners are are using their creative talents to forge a new national identity, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Comedy star Billy Connolly could have had Parkinson’s disease for around 10 years before it was diagnosed, his wife has revealed.

VENEZUELA, which is on the shoulder of South America that opens out to the Caribbean Sea, is famous for its beaches.

Your daily spoiler-free guide to what to look out for on the box.

Ray D'arcy returns with the series School Around the Corner on RTE One at 6.30pm tonight.

The Consumer Show is back, and Friday brings the final of the UK version of Masterchef.

Comic Billy Connolly has told how he hopes to raise a laugh from beyond the grave — with an interactive burial plot.

Comic Billy Connolly has told how he hopes to raise a laugh from beyond the grave – with an interactive burial plot.

Jack Bauer is back in 24, while Billy Connolly says goodbye. And there’s also the Eurovision semi-final.

Welcome to your Wednesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Billy Connolly has revealed that he was diagnosed with both prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease on the same day.