Aretha Franklin has defended Beyoncé amid reports she lip-synced the American national anthem at Barack Obama's inauguration on Monday.

UCD 0 Derry City 1

A goal from substitute Davin O’Neill 20 minutes from time saw 10-man Cork City get back to winning ways in a five-goal thriller at Turner’s Cross last night.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick caused the shock of the Irish Universities Collingwood Cup by edging out holders UCC 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final at UL after the game finished level at 1-1 after extra-time.

The spark was lit during the summer of 2002, the weekend of Stephen Quigley’s wedding in Indianapolis.

HURLING will be showcased in front of thousands of NFL fans before Sunday week’s Superbowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh 25 Green Bay 31

NIGEL Twiston-Davies has confirmed he plans to take new Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Imperial Commander to Aintree for the totesport Bowl on Thursday week.

Kauto Star will bid to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown back from stablemate Denman as a fresh horse with trainer Paul Nicholls planning to send him straight to the Festival after a run over Christmas.

DECLAN KIDNEY has frequently admitted the part of his job he least likes is picking the team for the bigger matches.

A try from new winger Lupeni Siale helped UL Bohemians to victory in the first ever rugby match to be played at the UL Bowl.

Tobosa impressed enough in a gallop at Newmarket on Saturday to persuade trainer William Jarvis to let him take his chance in the Prix Jean Prat.

OUTGOING Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon plans to launch a sports consultancy firm which will lobby for Government funds.

UCD's Kevin Croke will lead Ireland Universities into battle with English Universities at Belfield tomorrow.

Haydock will celebrate Saturday’s 50th running of the totesport Silver Bowl with a record £100,000 on offer in prize money.

Paul Nicholls is likely to be represented by Thisthatandtother in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree on Thursday week.

Crystal D’Ainay could make his British chasing debut in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree next month.

New England Patriots 24 Philadelphia Eagles 21

A crucial yellow card for Leinster flanker Niall Ronan saw Ireland's young Sevens side collapse to a 24-19 Bowl semi-final defeat to Canada at today's IRB South Africa Sevens in George.

Ireland ran Sevens heavyweights Australia and England close at the IRB South Africa tournament today in George, but a final Pool loss to Kenya sees them bound for the Bowl quarter finals.

Ireland picked up their first win of the two-day IRB Dubai Sevens tournament this morning, defeating Canada 24-17 to earn a place in the Shield final.

CBS TV apologised yesterday for an unexpectedly X-rated end to its Super Bowl half-time show, when singer Justin Timberlake tore off part of Janet Jackson’s top, exposing her breast.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been labelled 'Super Bowl Bertie' by Fine Gael's Senator Therese Ridge.