Ireland’s long-term ambition to become a Test-playing nation was handed further weight after they narrowly fell short of an RSA Insurance ODI series wins in Dublin.

UCI President Pat McQuaid’s future as head of the sport has been thrown into doubt following an extraordinary set of circumstances which unfolded over the weekend.

CRICKET Ireland (CI) have outlined an ambitious plan to become a Test-playing nation by 2020, in an attempt to prevent their top players declaring for England.

A PRESTIGIOUS award bestowed upon University College Cork could help fund a dedicated centre for Chinese culture and language on campus.

Ireland are banging their heads against a “glass ceiling” in their attempts to break into the Test-playing elite above them.

FITCH Ratings yesterday gave AIB’s British-based and Channel Islands operations Individual “B” ratings in line with the parent bank’s, despite the fact that it is facing tougher trading conditions and rising bad debts.

Canadian fund manager CI Financial has appointed banking and legal advisers to pursue a formal takeover bid for British fund manager Amvescap.