Ahead of her side’s crunch Global Sevens Qualification tournament in UCD this weekend, Ireland Women’s Sevens captain Lucy Mulhall believes that qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio would represent a huge step forward for the game in Ireland.

Few people understand what it takes to be a successful All Blacks coach more than Richie McCaw and the two-time World Cup-winning captain happens to believe that Joe Schmidt has exactly what it takes to do the job.

It may well be the most notorious train journey in Irish sporting history.

A new home, the RBS 6 Nations title to defend and changing priorities make for a challenging year for Niamh Briggs and her Ireland women’s team but head coach Tom Tierney is relishing the opportunity to strike the right balance.

In a bid to capitalise on the greater interest in rugby this year thanks to the World Cup and Rugby Sevens' inclusion in the 2016 Olympics, Wicked Witch Software has announced that it will release Rugby Challenge 3 later this year.

There is a loop of hurling anoraks throughout Ireland and I am cousins, never far removed, with each and every pilgrim.

Colm McMahon, coach of the Munster team facing up to some of the finest teams in the world in the Limerick World Club Sevens at Thomond Park on August 9th and 10th, is under no illusions as to the extent of the challenge awaiting them.

That saying about the world being a smaller place? Depends on the wifi.

Nothing illustrates the speed of Alex Cuthbert’s rise to prominence more than the fact that he was losing a Sevens match against a team called The Smurfs on the day of the second Lions Test against South Africa in 2009.

Cork City is alive to the sound of music this weekend but there are dozens of other events throughout the South-West to whet the appetite of bank holiday visitors and revellers.

Former Ireland and Munster flanker Alan Quinlan believes Anthony Foley has the credentials to be given a shot at the provincial coaching job.

Bryansford were crowned Blue September Kilmacud Sevens champions for the first time since 1994 at Glenalbyn this evening.

They might get spanked in Ireland’s Pool C but a shift in attitude to the sport in Russia means this could be the last World Cup they’ll head to as minnows. Ciaran Cronin explains.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has cast doubt on the likelihood of an Ireland Sevens team going to the Olympics in 2016.

THE incredible success story that is St Gall’s continued at Glenalbyn on Saturday, as the All-Ireland club champions added the oneills.com Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland senior football sevens title to their list of achievements.

St. Gall's, St. John's and St Mochta's all claimed All-Ireland Sevens Football titles yesterday, while Westport also picked up a prestigious Sevens gong.

Portumna, Inniskeen Grattans, Shannon Rovers and Tourin claimed the four All-Ireland Hurling Sevens titles that were on offer in mixed weather conditions in Dublin yesterday.

BEFORE reality TV and “live the dream” talent shows, there was a hugely influential science fiction and fantasy series which was compelling viewing for anyone with a grain of imagination.

FORMER Irish rugby legend Trevor Brennan has launched a new travel company, Trevor Brennan Rugby Tours.

Las Vegas will host the United States leg of the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series from next year.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has today welcomed the decision today by the International Olympic Committee members to include Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Clonduff (Down) 0-11 Longstone (Down) 0-8

Wales captain Ryan Jones is flattered to be considered a potential candidate to lead the Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

Increased attendances at games are paramount before any notions of Government grants for Ladies footballers can be talked about, according to Cork's All-Ireland-winning captain Juliet Murphy.

The International Rugby Board has announced the dates and teams for the first two events of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series.

THE Bank Holiday weekend kicked off, literally, yesterday as the largest Sevens tournament in the northern hemisphere got underway.

The Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union (IWRFU) has welcomed the International Rugby Board’s confirmation of the introduction of the first Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.

FORMER Irish rugby star Ollie Campbell believes the possible closure of Thomond Park would be a disaster for sport in this country.

The 2005 AIB Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens tournament takes place this weekend at the Dublin club's Stillorgan home.

Ireland's Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were overturned by Pool A rivals USA in Hong Kong.

Ireland’s quest for silverware at the Emirates Airline Sevens in Dubai ended in disaster as they lost the Shield final to lowly Tunisia 17-5.

Jim O’Sullivan

WAISALE SEREVI, the acknowledged genius of sevens rugby, will once again be the star attraction of the Heineken Kinsale Sevens, which takes place between April 30 and May 2 in the Cork town.

South Africa claimed a surprise 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Dubai to win the first of this season’s IRB Sevens events.

Rob Howley is back in the international rugby spotlight - a month after retiring from international rugby.

The Heineken Kinsale Sevens by the Sea tournament concluded today.

Australian Sevens coach Julian Gardner has revealed that Wendell Sailor is available for selection for the Brisbane World Rugby Sevens in February.

England have withdrawn from the IRB World Sevens tournament in Dubai.

The Pumas will face New Zealand in the semi-final after the Commonwealth champions thrashed Samoa 45-7 despite the absence of Eric Rush.

Ireland, who have won the bowl in their two previous world series events, will face Portugal - 19-14 winners over Zimbabwe with a ‘golden try’ - in the semi-finals later.