Timing is everything in politics. There are signs that Fine Gael has got its timing badly wrong again in the run-up to local and European elections, now only nine days away.

Fine Gael has banned a second party candidate from taking part in the Irish Examiner European election debate in Cork amid fears that their involvement could damage sitting MEP Deirdre Clune’s re-election chances.

The €3bn State investment in the controversial National Broadband Plan has been labelled “the worst deal ever seen” after it emerged that the private operator chosen to deliver it will only invest €200m equity in it.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that an extension would be preferable to a crash-out Brexit but that "it can't be another licence for more indecision".

Organisers of this summer’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch have insisted the prestige $7m European Tour event will not be defined by the absence of Rory McIlroy from the field.

By the time the first rounds of the Derby and the Oaks began in Clonmel yesterday at the National Coursing meeting, which pares the numbers down from 64 to 32 for today’s second day, I was below in Cork.

Award-winning broadcaster Radio Kerry is set to add two more stations to its portfolio with the acquisition of Clare FM and Tipp FM.

On Monday evening just past, probably after a few of them would have seen footage of a brawl below in Kerry on their Twitter feed on their way out the door, the 2018 Clare senior county hurling champions Ballyea returned to the Local Inn, where for the second consecutive night they were welcomed by a special constituency of people.

Excitement levels have hit fever-pitch in Clare!

Former All Star Brendan Bugler will be high in the Cusack Park stand for Clare’s clash with neighbours Limerick tomorrow afternoon. Yes, he’s jealous of the new round-robin format and the home and away system but, for the most part, the Whitegate man is happy to be returning to his club roots, writes Kieran Shannon

An intrepid effort by east Clare soccer club Newmarket Celtic managed to round up 40 volunteers last Saturday morning to clear their pitch of snow for a Munster Junior Cup quarter-final against St Michael’s of Tipperary.

Outgoing Munster GAA CEO Simon Moroney is not ruling out throwing his hat into the ring for the position of director-general of the GAA itself.

Gardaí are continuing to question a man in his early 20s after a stabbing in Co Clare yesterday evening.

Following their third round qualifier loss to Mayo in July, the Cratloe man said he'd be taking his time before committing to a fifth year in charge of the Banner.

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Latest: Gardaí investigating the fatal stabbing which occurred at Marion Estate, Kilkee, Co Clare at approximately 1.15am on Sunday morning have charged one man, aged 21, in relation to the incident and he will appear before Ennis District Court, tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.

Latest: The Garda Armed Support Unit has been requested to carry out patrols in the Kilkee area of County Clare.

Latest: Gardaí have arrested a third man in connection with a fatal stabbing at Marion Estate, Kilkee, Co Clare.

A HSE-run facility for older people which is at the centre of court proceedings “appeared institutional and hospital-like”, with some residents spending large parts of the day in bed and eating meals at their bedside, according to a report by health watchdog Hiqa.

US president Donald Trump loves Ireland and “will be a great friend to this country”.

A savage amount of rain has fallen in the last week and I just wonder did the underfoot conditions contribute to so many injuries in Semple Stadium and Nowlan Park yesterday?

Christmas comes early for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), after the annual Tour de Munster cycle event raised more than €285,000 for the charity.

Independent broadcasters have said they are nearing a time where they can no longer afford to produce news, sports and current affairs programming.

It was shortly before midday yesterday when Eoghan Donnellan received the news he’d been waiting for. He was free to leave the National Spinal injuries unit at Dublin’s Mater Hospital – and thankfully able to walk out.

Newly appointed Clare joint-manager Donal Moloney has hinted at a return to the uninhibited style of hurling which delivered the county three consecutive All-Ireland U21 titles.

Clare hurlers were united in deciding it was time for a change after five years of Davy Fitzgerald’s management, vice-captain Cian Dillon confirmed yesterday, but he insists it was ultimately Fitzgerald’s own decision to step down from the role.

90 judges, drawn from the industry in Ireland and Europe, judged 282 hours of submissions from the 700 entries across 37 categories and today they announced the shortlist.

I’m a very positive thinker. It’s the only way to survive in this industry.

Not all of the GAA’s proudest traditions have proved robust. 

For the day that is in it, I am driven to pay compliments to a very special Patrick I have known for years and, truthfully, have always been much fonder of than our extremely austere and distant patron saint.

Kerry have no issue with Meath’s David Coldrick being appointed to referee Sunday week’s All-Ireland final despite the match official both living and working in Dublin.

The experienced physio at the centre of last weekend’s stretcher saga in Clare has rejected county board claims that a stretcher was available for fractured ankle victim Conor Cleary.

A Clare club manager has claimed county hurler Conor Cleary had to be carried from a pitch like “an auld dog” after sustaining a serious ankle injury at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday evening.

Brian Lohan has refused to back down from his call for a review of the performance of the Clare senior hurlers and their manager Davy Fitzgerald despite accepting he has caused ‘upset’ to some people.

Waterford legend John Mullane admits his relationship with former manager Davy Fitzgerald remains “awkward and stand-offish”. 

Cycling legend Sean Kelly hopes to help break the Tour de Munster’s €2m fundraising target for Down Syndrome Ireland by the weekend.