Circle Oil could reach a deal to sell its main production assets in the next couple of months, allowing it to repay the bulk of its $78m (€70m) debt.

HSBC Holdings is discovering that the oil crash extends far beyond the deserts of the Gulf, the plains of west Texas, and the shale fields of North Dakota. Even Petroceltic, the small energy company in Dublin, can inflict pain.

Irish exploration firm, Circle Oil, has effectively placed itself up for sale, by initiating an “all options” strategic review to reduce debt, maintain sufficient cash-flow, and maximise shareholder value.

Cork football champions Ballincollig open the defence of their first title with a repeat of their opening fixture in this year’s competition.

ESB International has announced that it has won four new contracts in Asia worth up to €1.5m.

Cork IFC

The secretary of the Donegal Competition Controls’ Committee has warned of “a potential crisis” in 2014 with the postponement of the SFC and IFC until after the county team conclude their All-Ireland campaign.

Ballyea caused a shock at Cusack Park on Saturday, defeating 2010 and 2011 champions Crusheen in the Clare SHC quarter-final.

Cormac McGinley rescued Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran with a 59th minute equaliser in last night’s Hunky Dorys SFC first round tie at Carrickmore, tying it up at 0-7 each.

Loughmore-Castleiney and Éire Óg Nenagh, as expected, qualified for the Tipperary SHC quarter-finals with comfortable round four wins over Roscrea and Silvermines respectively on Saturday evening.

Following the six Cork county championship games at the weekend, the fourth-round ties and relegation play-offs are now decided in all but the SHC and IFC grades.

A total of 119 days separated Fermoy’s first game in this year’s Cork County IFC and their second, but they showed few ill-effects of the lay-off as they beat Cloyne by 11 points at Lisgoold on Saturday evening.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said that the Government has been given no official indication from the IMF/ECB/EU troika that Ireland will be given longer to pay back its bailout debts.

ST. SAVIOURS secured their top flight status for 2012 with a facile victory in this Waterford SFC relegation play-off at Carriganore on Saturday.

WHILE Mayo manager James Horan spent yesterday sweating over the fitness of his players, the Mayo club championship threw up a couple of big surprises.

MICK O’DWYER’S son Karl is making waves as a team manager in Wicklow.

LAST year’s Cork Premier IFC semi-finalists St Vincent’s came undone in the first round against Nemo Rangers on Saturday night at Páirc Uí Rinn.

ALTOBRIDGE, the privately-owned technology group based in Tralee, Co Kerry, is to receive a $12 million (€8.66m) investment to drive its low-cost international mobile global communications business.

A Kerry company which specialises in providing mobile broadband to remote locations has secured a $12m (€8.6m) investment from Intel and the investment arm of the World Bank.

MUNSTER Council officials are confident tomorrow’s showpiece club senior football decider will go ahead despite the need for second pitch inspection of the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick today.

The current adverse weather conditions have once again forced the postponement of the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling and Football Championship finals, which had been refixed for this coming Sunday.

A top young Irish cyclist who quit competitive racing following a collision with a French team's service vehicle during an international event has lost his High Court action for damages.

TIPPERARY outfit Brian Boru’s held on for victory in a thrilling Tesco All-Ireland Ladies IFC club final yesterday.

CHAMPIONS Sarsfields have been drawn against Castlelyons in next year’s Cork SHC, while four-in-a-row football winners Nemo Rangers renew rivalry with Ballincollig.

GAA President elect Christy Cooney received a standing ovation at Tuesday night’s Cork County Board meeting.

Ballinhassig 0-16 Courcey Rovers 1-12

TONIGHT: SFC: St. Nicks v O'Donovan Rossa at Newcestown, 7.15 p.m. BOTH sides are without key players which should make it wide open.

FAHRENHEIT 9/11, Michael Moore’s assault on US President George W Bush, is on track for an opening weekend that would surpass the $21.6 million (€17.7m) total gross of Mr Moore’s Bowling for Columbine, the 2002 film that earned him an Academy Award for best documentary.

A lecturer who stabbed a love rival in the face and neck with a broken wine glass has to do 240 hours of community service or serve a two year sentence.

The FA has described as ‘disappointing’ that the findings of an Independent Football Commission report had been leaked early.

A media lecturer who stabbed a love rival in the face and neck with a wine glass has what Judge Desmond Hogan called the dark cloud of a custodial sentence looming over her.

Fans opposed to Wimbledon’s move to Milton Keynes have claimed a moral victory after a new report urged football’s governing bodies to prevent a similar scenario happening again.

IF ever a player epitomises what his club means to him it’s Niall Cahalane.