Former Fine Gael by-election Verona Murphy is to announce on Tuesday whether she will run as an Independent candidate in Wexford in the upcoming General Election.

As legendary comics writer Alan Moore slips into retirement, some of his Irish contemporaries tell Donal O’Keeffe about the genius who had such a huge influence on popular culture

Irish retailer Musgrave is to begin exporting SuperValu own brand products to China.

Tim Bresnan believes England have been "left behind" in one-day cricket after their embarrassing World Cup exit.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy says the FAI are still to make contact with him regarding the vacant Republic of Ireland manager’s job.

IRELAND’S Davis Cup team staged a dramatic escape from relegation to Group Three of the Europe-Africa Zone at David Lloyd Riverview last night.

When Mal O’Kelly joined Leinster they didn’t have dressing rooms but when he left the only thing they didn’t have was a ladyboys’ tag

AFTER RECEIVING a walkover from top seed Daniel Glancy in the opening round, Glasnevin’s Paul Keoghan was quickly jolted back to reality last night at the National Indoors Tennis Championships at David Lloyd Riverview when Mike Johnston defeated him 6-4 6-1.

Andy Murray survived a five-set thriller to get Great Britain off to a winning start in their Davis Cup World Group play-off against Croatia.

Pubs and leisure group Whitbread today reported a 24.5% rise in profits after strong performances from its Costa and Premier Travel Inn divisions.

Richard Branson was today said to be planning to merge gym chain Holmes Place with his own health club, Virgin Active.

HEALTH club owner Next Generation has whittled its suitors down to Whitbread, Esporta and property firm London & Regional, with bids around £200 million (€288.1 million), according to sources close to the auction.

A CHAIN of fitness centres owned by John Magnier, JP McManus and Dermot Desmond is expected to be put up for sale this week.

THE ‘Coolmore Mafia’ are poised to cash in on their stake in a chain of fitness clubs in Britain.

Leinster confirmed today that they have reached agreement to make the David Lloyd Health & Fitness in Riverview, Clonskeagh, their new administrative home.

NEXT Generation Clubs, a chain of fitness centres backed by JP McManus, John Magnier and Denis Brosnan, saw profits grow by almost £1.8 million (€2.62m) in 2004.

Producers of Natalie Portman's forthcoming film V For Vendetta have refused to edit out scenes of bombings on the London Underground train network, despite the recent terrorist attacks in the British capital.

The London market hit a two-and-a-half year high today as traders welcomed hints that interest rates will stay on hold.

BRITISH fitness club chain Next Generation, whose shareholders include Dermot Desmond, John Magnier and former Kerry Group chairman Denis Brosnan, are believed to be eyeing up a stock market flotation.

Former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd insisted Greg Rusedski had been “living in hell” until he was today exonerated of doping charges by an independent tribunal.