Trinity are using the visit of Folau’s new club Catalans Dragons in their opening home game to celebrate inclusivity in rugby league by inviting LGBT groups to the game.

They’re as much a part of Cork’s Christmas tradition as spiced beef, the Holly Bough, and the Share collectors.

IRISH HOCKEY has had many depressing days over the years, but not many as bad as yesterday at these European Championships when a French team which had been thrashed 8-3 and 6-0 by Holland and Spain — teams which Ireland had performed so gamely against here in Belle Vue — managed to derail the Irish effort.

LEAGUE ONE Chesterfield piled the pressure on Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce by coming from a goal down to end the Premiership strugglers’ interest in the Carling Cup.

David James and Ben Thatcher will make their first pre-season appearances for Manchester City at Hull tonight – but Nicolas Anelka and Trevor Sinclair will still be missing at the KC Stadium.