The titanic minutes of the Irish Tug of War championships in broiling Corofin on the edge of the Burren yesterday came when the two top Irish teams eventually qualified to meet in the final.

Dolphin edged ever closer to their first Ulster Bank top-four finish when they produced an unlikely but fully deserved victory over Clontarf at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

Kick-off 2.30pm unless stated –

Cork Constitution will have the support of the nation — well almost — when they take on Lansdowne in today’s Ulster Bank League battle at Temple Hill, the outcome of which will surely shape the destination of the title.

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Garryowen sit proudly on top of the Ulster Bank League thanks to a home victory over reigning champions St Mary’s College.

CORK Constitution coach Brian Walsh described Saturday’s win over Ulster Bank pacesetters Clontarf at Temple Hill as vital, the Leinster side crashing to their first defeat.

The Ireland squad that will take part in the first preseason camp in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in September has been named today.

LEO CULLEN will take another step towards full rehabilitation from a shoulder injury when he pulls on the Leinster captain’s armband for tonight’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at the RDS.

Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney has left Munster's Jerry Flannery out of his squad to play in next month's international series, but has left the door open for his return from injury.

The Ireland team to play the Barbarians this Friday night in Thomond Park for the Mastercard Trophy contains four uncapped players.

IRELAND were dealt a severe blow for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia yesterday when both Paul O’Connell and Rory Best were ruled out through injury.

Rory Best and Paul O'Connell have both been ruled out of the Ireland summer tour to New Zealand and Australia due to injury.

An Ireland squad of 33 players was today announced for the 2010 summer tour to New Zealand and Australia, with Munster talisman Paul O'Connell included.

DENIS HURLEY’S outstanding form has catapulted him into contention for the left wing position on the national team for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

An Ireland squad of 44 players was today announced for the upcoming 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

GARRYOWEN joint coach, Greg Oliver reckons scrum-half Conor Murray possesses all the attributes to don the Munster senior No 9 jersey.

Jonathan Sexton will make his Ireland debut in Saturday’s clash with Fiji at the Royal Dublin Society as one of eight changes to the side that drew with Australia.

Ireland 'A' hooker John Fogarty has been recalled to the Ireland camp and will not play in tonight's A game against Tonga in Ravenhill.

Leinster hooker John Fogarty will start for the Ireland A side to play Tonga at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

The Ireland 'A' Team to play Tonga in Ravenhill on Friday night will be captained by Shane Horgan.

The two Ireland squads for next weekend's internationals against Tonga and Australia have been named today.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has included nine uncapped players in his 39 strong-squad for the upcoming Guinness Series of internationals in November against Australia, Fiji and South Africa.

Cork Constitution have been drawn at home to Shannon in the plum tie of the AIB Senior Cup third round, to be played on Saturday November 7th.

A 34-man panel has been announced for the final Ireland training camp to take place in Dublin from September 14-15.

A 37-man panel has been announced for the next Ireland camp which is due to take place in Limerick from August 16-19.

DECLAN KIDNEY’S aim of building a panel towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand continues after the Ireland head coach announced a 36-man squad for his first national camp this season.

Coach Declan Kidney has named the first Ireland camp of the season which will take place in Belfast from July 26-29.

Music fans at this weekend’s Slane concert were today urged to avoid a repeat of tragedies that marred the last time Oasis played at the castle.

Not every Leinster and Munster rugby hero can get to Croke Park tomorrow. Some – such as their junior counterparts – will be wading through the mud to keep their passion for the amateur game burning brightly. DIARMUID O’FLYNN met some of them.

MUNSTER Branch officials hope Cork City Council reconsider a decision to vote against the rezoning of lands inside Musgrave Park, the sale of which was to assist in the redevelopment of a new stadium.

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney has announced an enlarged 36 man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Game against England next Saturday.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has announced a reduced 27-man squad for the opening game in the RBS Six Nations Championship against France on Saturday, February 7.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has announced a 39-man squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship which begins for Ireland when they take on France in Croke Park in just over two weeks time.

A man's body has been found in a river in Co Meath.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has finalised the replacements for Ireland's game against Canada tomorrow at Thomond Park.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has held onto six uncapped players - Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls, Ian Dowling, Ryan Caldwell, Cian Healy and Donnacha Ryan - in the 34-man squad to reassemble for training in Dublin next week ahead of the opening game of the Guinness Series 2008 against Canada.

Brian O'Driscoll has been named captain of the Ireland squad for the upcoming autumn internationals against Canada, New Zealand and Argentina.

IRELAND finished third in the FIRA Women’s European Championship in Amsterdam after they drew 22-22 with France on Saturday.

Ireland 22 France 22

Coach Michael Bradley has named the Ireland team to play the Barbarians in Kingsholm, Gloucester next Tuesday in their summer tour warm up game.

The interim Ireland coaching staff has today announced the Ireland squad for the upcoming warm up game against the Barbarians and the tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Kazal will head to Navan on February 17, where he is likely to renew rivalry with Earth Magic and Sweet Kiln in the McCabe Builders Boyne Hurdle.

Ireland Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has today named a 22-man squad for the opening game of the 2008 RBS 6 Nations against Italy and the Ireland A team for the game against the England Saxons in Welford Road on February 1.