A revolutionary attempt by the SpaceX company to land a leftover rocket booster on an ocean barge has failed.

Men should not get a common blood test to screen for prostate cancer, according to new healthcare guidelines from Canada.

Aid agency Goal has hit out at the Government’s decision not to send Irish troops to assist in containing the ebola crisis in west Africa.

Nico Rosberg returned to the top of the Formula One podium with a lights-to-flag Monaco Grand Prix victory as a left-eye problem for Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton put the blinkers on his challenge.

Perhaps the time is now right for the Government to appoint a Garda Commissioner from outside the Force.

There were a few remarkable things about the Western Force’s 31-29 Super Rugby victory over the Highlanders on Saturday, most notably wing Nick Cummins’ hilarious post-match interview.

Croke Park, February 28, 2009: A headless English half-back charges an Irish prop between the shoulder blades.

The importance of George North to Warren Gatland’s plan for the British & Irish Lions to beat Australia in Saturday’s first Test was underlined by the relief that greeted his clearance to play in Suncorp Stadium.

Warren Gatland today put an emphasis on rest and recovery for players like Brian O’Driscoll and George North ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia.

Four games in and despite the fact that three of the Lions’ ‘contests’ had nothing like the competitiveness Warren Gatland is craving, his test side is beginning to take shape in Australia.

The Lions were forced into defensive mode yesterday following claims by head coach Warren Gatland that Australia had been spying on his players.

At last a game to savour, at least until the rain made handling conditions very difficult in the second half at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

After two false dawns in terms of competitive opposition, the Lions tourists should finally get a taste of what Australian rugby has to offer at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this morning.

British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has predicted a fierce battle for back-row places in the forthcoming Test series against Australia.

British and Irish Lions prop Cian Healy has been cleared of biting Western Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan at a disciplinary hearing in Brisbane.

WHEN does a tour really become a tour? The first match? The first bust-up? The first grind-it-out victory?

Warren Gatland knows there will be tougher days than the one his British & Irish Lions faced in Western Australia yesterday, starting this Saturday in Brisbane, yet you could not blame the head coach for feeling a little pleased with the ruthless way his team dispatched their opponents.

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The British and Irish Lions insist they will not be “drawn into silliness” tomorrow after being promised a physical welcome by opening Australia tour opponents Western Force.

The Western Force may have other priorities but that will not concern the British & Irish Lions one bit as they begin the Australian leg of their tour at Patersons Stadium in Perth this morning (11am Irish time).

Graham Rowntree has underlined the British and Irish Lions’ ambition to raise the performance bar in their clash against Western Force tomorrow.

Paul O’Connell was not the only Irish player to make a late, injury-hit run onto Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad.

Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll will captain the British and Irish Lions in Wednesday’s clash against Western Force in Perth.

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new coach of the Waratahs following Michael Foley's decision to move to the Western Force.

Two Indian air force helicopters have collided and crashed in the country’s west, killing all eight airmen aboard.

Cameron Shepherd is taking legal action against Northampton after the club terminated his contract for medical reasons.

Dolores Ruth is the trainer to follow in this evening’s quarter-finals of the Betfair 600 at Shelbourne Park as the Rathangan handler sends out three of the four heats favourites.

Dolores Ruth is the trainer to follow in this evening’s quarter-finals of the Betfair 600 at Shelbourne Park as the Rathangan handler sends out three of the four heats favourites.

Outgoing Munster director of coaching Tony McGahan will not be coaching Super XV outfit Western Force next season when he returns to his native Australia, the Queenslander has confirmed.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant head coach’s role at Western Force in Australia, despite the fact that he has already announced his decision to take up a role with the Wallabies next season.

Former France international Sebastien Chabal has confirmed he will move to Australia to play Super Rugby in the coming weeks.

Oldham captain Dean Furman has called for “heavy action” to be taken against anyone found guilty of abusing team-mate Tom Adeyemi.

The abuse suffered by Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi in last night’s 5-1 FA Cup third round defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was an “absolute disgrace”, according to his captain Dean Furman.

Liverpool and the police are investigating an incident which took place during last night’s 5-1 FA Cup third-round win over Oldham at Anfield, where visiting defender Tom Adeyemi was seemingly the target of abuse from fans.

A TOTAL of 45 new jobs are to be created in Limerick and Shannon, starting next year.

AFTER years of debate and months of preparations, the US military passed a historic milestone yesterday with the repeal of a ban on gay people serving openly in uniform.

THE visit to the Republic and her reception by a guard of honour of the Defence Force reminds me of the action of Colonel Michael Corcoran, Officer Commanding the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York State Volunteers, who refused to parade the regiment in honour of the visit of the Prince of Wales to the city.

IRELAND’S finest will be in action at Shelbourne Park this evening in the second round of the Tote Gold Cup. Last weekend’s action featured many superb performances and more of the same is expected tonight.

Kimi Raikkonen’s manager claims the Finn was McLaren’s first choice to be paired alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season – but failure to agree terms on a deal paved the way for reigning champion Jenson Button to get the nod.

Ulster's new signing Tamaiti Horua is due to arrive at his new club tomorrow.

Two Russian air force jets rehearsing aerobatic manoeuvres collided today near Moscow, killing one stunt pilot and sending one fighter crashing into nearby holiday homes, a military official said.

CRASH investigators have said that they may never find black boxes that could explain why an Air France jet plunged into the ocean, as naval teams trawled deep Atlantic waters.

Jacob Zuma officially became South Africa’s new president today.

Ulster have continued their recruitment drive with the announcement of the signing of Tamaiti Horua, from Super 14 side Western Forces on a two-year contract.