Willie Mullins’ winning machine may have an enviable record but he is still pigeon-holed as the Robbie Keane of racing.

HEINEKEN CUP POOL ONE:

Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 2 — further proof that it’s true what they say about great players: you can keep them quiet for nearly all 90 minutes but, inevitably, they’ll end up having the last word.

The outcome of late night talks on next year’s EU fishing quotas has been welcomed by Stormont’s Fisheries minister.

NEW South African signing Tonderai Chavhanga gave the Newport Gwent Dragons plenty to cheer about in their RaboDirect Pro 12 clash with Ulster at Rodney Parade.

UNLIKE Robbie Keane, Keith Andrews had no qualms about dropping down a tier in England earlier this month but the midfielder praised the Ireland captain last night for a decision that has split opinion on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Like many things, PC is in the eyes of the beholder. Those who baulk at the term turn PC themselves if something is uttered which they find offensive.

IT WAS often a source of bemusement for the wonderful Marcus Dunlop (RIP) that when it came to racehorses, the more he knew, the less he won.

AS sports fans, the Irish can be as myopic as the best of them but spare a thought for the Ospreys side which will pitch up at the RDS for their Magners League tie with Leinster tonight.

STEPHEN IRELAND is glad to be free of the shackles imposed by Mark Hughes.

Stephen Ireland is glad to be free of the shackles imposed by Mark Hughes.

Everton 1 Birmingham 1

AS IF EDDIE O’Sullivan hadn’t enough on his mind, with seemingly the whole of Ireland screaming for him to fall on his sword, he spent most of yesterday trying to figure out just what kind of three-quarter line he should put out against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

ANY player that joins Cork City will have to “live and breathe” the club, according to Alan Mathews who was officially unveiled as the new manager of the Rebel Army yesterday.

Major quota cuts proposed for the North's fishermen have been averted although the number of days they can spend on the Irish Sea has been reduced, the British government announced today.

LEADING shipping companies regularly operating on the Irish Sea are paying staff members as little as €1.31 an hour.

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has been forced to endure the chill of the Irish Sea in a bid to be fit for Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus.

Exporters warned today businesses would be hit hard if Irish Ferries’ services to the United Kingdom were disrupted by strike.

SHARES in Irish Ferries operator ICG fell as a dispute with ship’s officers brought services to a standstill as the company laid off ratings.

MATT WILLIAMS last night lashed out at a number of former Scottish greats and promised his side would “put up a performance” against Ireland at Lansdowne Road this afternoon.

About 600 sea-going staff at Irish Ferries were warned today they face being temporarily laid off without pay.

Speculation that peace has broken out in the horse-racing feud between Alex Ferguson and John Magnier have been treated with caution on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Stena Line is bidding to take over a substantial part of P&O's Irish Sea operations.

Simon Geoghegan says there is no shame in defeat to top England. He spoke to Barry Coughlan

The failure of the joint Irish-Scottish bid to stage the 2008 European soccer championships today looked set to prompt political recriminations on both sides of the Irish Sea.