Leinster 20 Scarlets 13: Leinster landed a significant blow in the scramble for Guinness PRO14 play-off places on Saturday afternoon with a hard-earned and at times entertaining victory against the 2017 league champions in Ballsbridge.

Our regular contributors select their highlights of the year

The prevalence of doping in sport has been once again to the fore in recent weeks, writes Jack Anderson.

New Zealand international Issac Luke and his former South Sydney team-mate Luke Keary put their hands up to play for Ireland in the 2017 World Cup.

Latest: The President of Ireland has sent congratulations on behalf of the people of Ireland to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons on winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2017.

There was singing, fancy dress and plenty of tea and scones today in Rathbarry, west Cork.

Justin Gatlin upset Usain Bolt to claim the 100 metres title at the World Championships on Saturday but was mercilessly booed during the competition.

Kilmainham, Dublin

Cork will come alive with the sound of music next week as 5,000 singers arrive from all over the world for the annual International Choral Festival.

We can't keep up at this stage.

Organisers of the Tour de France will look to crack Team Sky’s stranglehold on the event with a challenging course that rewards aggressive riding, race director Christian Prudhomme declared yesterday.

In his Budget 2017 speech Michael Noonan was attempting to balance the support he could give for foreign-owned multinationals, large Irish corporations and small business, all of whom depend on a competitive trading base for selling internationally.

Kristen Stewart stepped for the premiere of ‘Certain Women’ during the 54th New York Film Festival in Brian Atwood lace-ups and a raspberry suit.

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

RISING MEMORABILIA

Cork is bidding to be named European Green Capital 2017.