"While the entire 'X Factor' gang get on well, she received an invite ahead of Dermot O'Leary and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini so she has to be in his good books."

A young man went on trial yesterday on a charge of murdering a middle-aged man in Cork at Christmas 2011.

Without a win since February 2010, Western Leader made a successful chasing debut in the Ratoath Community Beginners Chase in Fairyhouse yesterday, to the delight of trainer John Shark Hanlon and owner Barry Connell.

The Tom Taaffe-trained Argocat captured the Grade 2 Greenmount Park Novice Chase, feature of the St. Stephen’s Day action in Limerick yesterday.

On a day which promised so much, Patrick Mullins salvaged a single win from his four rides in Gowran Park yesterday as he closes in on Billy Parkinson’s record, set in 1915, for the number of winners ridden by an amateur in a calendar year.

THE remarkable bumper run of Willie and Patrick Mullins continued at Fairyhouse yesterday when uneasy favourite Dr.Machini coasted to victory in the Follow Nina Carberry On Twitter Mares Flat Race.

By Shaun Cronin, Sports Reporter

CORK footballers are back in the limelight tomorrow night at a charity boxing show at the Rochestown Park Hotel.

The Leinster team to face Connacht in Sunday’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Connacht in the Sportsground Galway (5pm) has been named.

JAMES O’DONOVAN and Ian Callanan gelled into a perfect team in their bowl of odds win over Christy Mullins and Jerry Gibbons in the annual St. Stephen’s Day challenge at Grange.

Munster have named a 31-strong squad for the trip to Belfast and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Ulster on Friday evening.

Following Connacht's narrow defeat away to Gloucester in the Heineken Cup last weekend, Head Coach Eric Elwood has chosen not to tinker with the side too much for the trip to Thomond Park to face Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12 on St. Stephen’s Day (7.45pm), making just one enforced change.

RYAN GIGGS believes Manchester United are in indomitable form right now.

JOCKEY Alan Crowe completed back-to-back wins in the valuable Ladbrokes.com Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan yesterday, getting the Christy Ruche-trained 10/1 shot Groody Hill up close home to foil Ad Idem, with Cross Appeal third after making a costly mistake at the final fence.

EVERYONE in the racing industry, trainers, jockeys and owners: did you all enjoy your time off over the last few days?

THERE was an element of satisfaction about the end result when a fitful performance but deserved victory at Thomond Park on Saturday night guaranteed Munster will stay top of the Magners League at least until St. Stephen’s Day.

THE Willie Austin-trained Four Chimneys proved his liking for Limerick when powering home a seven lengths winner of the Patrickswell Community Council Handicap Hurdle yesterday.

ALAIVAN is a best-priced 8/1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in the wake of his impressive hurdle debut victory at Gowran Park yesterday.

OFF the track since April of last year, Captain Cee Bee made a triumphant return when landing the Irish Stallion Farms Beginners Chase, on his fencing debut at Naas yesterday.

Fulham 0 Tottenham 4

SUNDERLAND midfielder Grant Leadbitter has revealed Roy Keane’s new motto: “Enjoy yourself.’

Kilmarnock 2 Hibernian 2

NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness is hoping £17m striker Michael Owen will return to former club Liverpool on St. Stephen’s Day and remind the Anfield faithful of exactly what they are missing.

MANCHESTER UNITED have been warned to watch their backs by Sale chief executive Niels de Vos, who believes fans are becoming disenchanted with football and turning to rugby union as a genuine alternative.

KICKING KING, the reigning King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup holder was yesterday named 2005 Horse of the Year at the annual Irish Horse Racing Awards ceremony.

BOLTON defender Tal Ben Haim was yesterday cleared of an FA charge for allegedly over-reacting to being shoved in the face by Wayne Rooney.

JESSICA HARRINGTON will wait a few days before making a decision on Moscow Flyer’s participation in the King George at Kempton at Christmas.

DAVID PLEAT yesterday assessed the crumbling wreckage of Tottenham’s season and backed talented youngster Johnnie Jackson to provide the inspiration for Spurs’ survival battle.

MARTIN McCARTHY (Leevale) and Noel Berkeley (DSD) fought out a spectacular sprint finish ahead of a record field of close to 300 at the annual St. Stephen’s Day four-mile road race in Belgooly which was marred by tragedy.

WILLIE MULLINS reports Florida Pearl and Davenport Milenium none the worse for their exertions at Kempton Park on St. Stephen’s Day.

NICKY HENDERSON is struggling to find a suitable race for Bacchanal’s reappearance, the Lambourn trainer revealed yesterday.