That was, without doubt, the worst weekend of hurling in a very, very long time.

Minister Brendan Howlin has labelled the Government's new data strategy as "a major milestone in the public service" - but what does the new approach to data mean?

The Fine Gael TD entangled in an expenses scandal over 130 calls she made from the Dáil to a Kenyan mobile has paid back a further €1,295 as a direct result of hitting out at how she was identified.

If the French camp is anything to go by, then hope really does eternal spring, says Barney Spender.

A snake-like robot designed to examine the inside of one of three melted reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant is ready to begin its expedition.

Supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president fought street battles with police in Cairo and other cities yesterday, on the fourth anniversary of the country’s 2011 uprising, as clashes left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured.

Supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president have fought street battles with police in Cairo and other cities on the fourth anniversary of the country’s 2011 uprising, as clashes left 13 people dead and dozens injured.

GUINNESS PRO12:

Rory McIlroy will take a one-shot lead into Saturday’s third round at the PGA Championship promising to keep his foot on the accelerator as he seeks to close out back-to-back major victories.

A strong earthquake hit Japan’s northern coast near the nuclear power plant crippled in the 2011 tsunami.

Egypt’s newly sworn-in president has apologised in person to a woman who was sexually assaulted by a mob during celebrations marking his inauguration.

Uefa president Michel Platini claims attempts are being made to tarnish his image over his support for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

A fresh coalition row is emerging over Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s universal health insurance plan, after a Labour minister said the policy is “not very detailed” and may need to be re-examined.

Darren Clarke will have to wait to make his 500th European Tour appearance after pulling out of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters through injury.

THE seas are rolling. You’re trying to stand still, to keep the horizons level, the camera dry, the lens in focus and to hold on.

Japan has drastically scaled back its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, possibly complicating efforts to forge a global climate change pact.

Three men from Ingushetia have been jailed for life for their roles in the 2011 bombing of a Moscow airport that killed 37 people, a Russian news agency has reported.

Joe Ward and Jason Quigley, are both guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the 17th AIBA World Elite Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake has hit the Japanese prefecture that is home to the nuclear power plant crippled in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

South Korea is banning all fish imports from Japan’s Fukushima region because of growing public concern over radiation contamination.

Deep beneath Fukushima’s crippled nuclear power station a massive underground reservoir of contaminated water that began spilling from the plant’s reactors after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami has been creeping slowly toward the sea.

Supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president are vowing to defy a state of emergency with new protests today, the day after marches in Cairo devolved into the fiercest street battles that the capital has seen in more than two years.

Derry are planning without midfielder PJ McCloskey for Saturday's all-Ulster clash with Cavan in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

Egypt’s military chief has tried to justify his decision to remove Mohammed Morsi from office, saying the Islamist leader had violated his popular mandate.

Felix Jones is relishing Ireland’s summer tour of North America following two injury-hit seasons.

Britain was in a heightened state of alert last night following a suspected terrorist attack in which a young man was hacked to death in broad daylight on the streets of London.

Tiger Woods has been given a two-shot penalty for taking an incorrect drop during his second round at the Masters yesterday, organisers announced today.

An upbeat Hosni Mubarak was wheeled into a Cairo courtroom today for his retrial for alleged complicity in the killing of demonstrators during the 2011 revolt that ousted him.

It is a common reaction.

Show jumper Shane Sweetnam has no intention of just making up the numbers when he contests his first World Cup final next April in Sweden.

Jamie Heaslip has challenged his players to back up victory over Wales last week with another big performance against England tomorrow as Ireland strive to be regarded as one of the best teams in the world.

Mark Cavendish has said he is “relatively ok” after colliding with a car while training in Italy.

The man who pleaded guilty to the deadly Arizona shooting rampage that wounded former US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been sentenced to life in prison.

Mike Sherry has had to re-assess this past week on what might be required to break back into the Irish squad after being overlooked by head coach Declan Kidney.

RTÉ star Ryan Tubridy last night joined forces with Olympic, GAA, and rugby stars as part of a charity drive to honour motorbike champion Sean Hurley.

A dog-fight was what Kilmallock manager Tony Considine expected, a dog-fight was what he got.

A protest has taken place at the gate of a Japanese nuclear power plant as it was restarted today – the first such facility to go back online since the country shut down all of its reactors for safety checks following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Dublin will be the epicentre of European club rugby next year with the finals of both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup set to take place in the Irish capital in May 2013.

Fans charged over Egypt’s deadliest football riot have protested their innocence at the opening of their trial, turning their anger on police widely believed to have helped in the killing of 75 members of a rival club.

Warren Gatland is in line to become just the second overseas coach to lead the British and Irish Lions on tour after being offered the chance to take charge of next year’s tour of Australia, it is understood.

Allianz Football League Division 2: Donegal 2-6 Laois 2-9