GAA Director General Páraic Duffy yesterday defended the Association’s disciplinary process but accepted ‘a loophole’ has allowed two high profile hurlers escape sanctions for their dismissals in the Allianz League Division One hurling final last week.

Discussion of motions for this weekend’s GAA’s Annual Congress was the main focus of last night’s Cork County Board meeting at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A motion which may be seen as a response to the recent Seanie Johnston transfer saga will come before Congress in Portlaoise next month.

A deal that heads off an unprecedented US financial default and begins the process of curbing the country’s spiralling debt was expected to clear a final legislative hurdle in the Senate today, just hours before the deadline.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke confirmed today that an email he sent suggesting the 2022 World Cup was “bought” was genuine.

A GLUTTON for punishment surely, Seamas O’Brien heads off to Down this weekend for his 54th consecutive annual GAA Congress, that great two-day talk-fest when the massive wheels of the GAA can be at their most grindingly slow.

THE club official sponsoring the motion to make gum shields mandatory for underage players at Congress believes the introduction of the measure would curb the rising dental costs being incurred by claims made to the GAA.

President Barack Obama unveiled his new budget today, a plan that forecasts the government spending a record $1.66 trillion (€1.19 trillion) more than it takes in through taxes.

The US Senate has passed President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare overhaul in a climactic Christmas Eve vote, extending medical insurance to 30 million Americans.

President George W Bush says Saddam Hussein has shown "utter contempt" for the world community and must be held to account.

INCOMING GAA president Sean Kelly believes rank and file members of the association must keep “an open mind” on the opening up of Croke Park to other sports.