What better way to celebrate America’s Independence Day than by freeing a small animal from the cold grip of the sea?

Emre Can, Liverpool’s utility man last season, is determined to nail down a place in midfield for the coming campaign.

SAILING: Four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie is confident his £80 million (€99m) America’s Cup team can follow the example of Team Sky’s cycling success at the Tour de France and bring sailing’s oldest trophy back to British shores.

Ireland have risen one place to join Switzerland on joint-18th place in the latest world rankings announced by FIFA this morning.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has declared himself fit to face Italy in Uruguay’s friendly tomorrow but admits he already has one eye on the weekend clash with Chelsea.

England were today considering whether to appeal against Courtney Lawes’ two-match ban for recklessly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

The transfer of Chile forward Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona is 80% done, Udinese’s Spanish representative has claimed.

CORK WEEK chairman Peter Deasy said he is pleased with the level of support for the bi-annual regatta and is also looking forward to welcoming more yachts and crew in July.

THE European Tour has confirmed that prize money in the season-ending Dubai World Championship is being cut by 25% because of the economic downturn.

Carlos Tevez admits he is "physically exhausted" after a tremendous season with Manchester United.

Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh will marry her fiancé Alex Young over America's Labor Day weekend.

Chanting ‘Death to America’, more than 1,000 supporters of an Islamic group rallied today through two crowded bazaars to condemn a US airstrike on a Pakistani border town.

The best of Tiger Woods is yet to come – according to the only man to beat him in a major championship this year.

Shels were not the only side to upset the form book in 2004, writes James Whelan.

Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal’s board will stand firm in the face of Real Madrid’s moves to buy Patrick Vieira – as there is no financial need to sell the midfielder.

Aston Villa’s Nolberto Solano scored a spectacular free-kick as hosts Peru fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Colombia in Group A of the Copa America.

WHEN it comes to sailing, only two things really matter: size and wind.

RYDER CUP hero Paul McGinley has welcomed the news that there should be a chance for him to play more team golf at the end of this season.

YACHTING’S America’s Cup was last night sailing into a new storm as holders Team New Zealand (TNZ) questioned the legal standing of a crucial tactic of the likely challenger.

AN AMERICA’S CUP jury will meet today to hear a New York Yacht Club request that Seattle’s OneWorld Challenge be expelled from the premier sailing event for breaches of sportsmanship and fair play.

IT used to be the sea breezes on distant tree boughs that gave the first clues of impending drama at the America’s Cup, but now the early excitement comes from the competitors’ efforts to peek under their rivals’ skirts.

Greg Norman has urged the world's leading players to promote the game better world wide.