Luka Bloom’s new album was recorded at Lettercollum House in Timoleague, writes Eoghan O’Sullivan

The final of the Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake takes place at Limerick track tonight, and it is probably more open than the betting would suggest.

Mouse Morris believes both Rule The World and Folsom Blue are capable of making their presence felt in a fiercely-competitive renewal of the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park today.

EastEnders villain Janine Butcher pushing her new husband Barry Evans off a cliff has been named as the best soap opera exit of all time.

Riverside City can provide the answer to an interesting Monroes’ Live Hurdle at Ballinrobe tonight.

Riverside City gets the nap to land easily the most interesting contest on the card at Roscommon tonight, the Easyfix Rubber Products Rated Novice Hurdle.

Chelsea began turning their attention to plugging a hole in their midfield ranks today after Oriol Romeu was all but ruled out for the rest of the season.

Blackburn’s first game of the post-Steve Kean era finished in a 1-1 npower Championship draw at Charlton, while rock-bottom Peterborough secured their first points of the season with a 3-1 win at promotion hopefuls Hull.

Graham Holland’s domination of the Macroom Motor Services Stake continued on Saturday night as he claimed both semi-finals, courtesy of Riverside Cashen and Murralli Junior.

Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 0

THE big question to be answered at Cheltenham this afternoon is whether mighty Big Buck’s can win his 16th race in-a-row in the Ladbrokes’ World Hurdle?

VIC Venturi is to continue his build-up to Aintree with a run in a hunter chase at Leopardstown later this month following his victory in a point-to-point on Sunday.

Riverside provides an ideal location for those who want to escape the city, but maintain some of the convenience, writes Rose Martin

Nicky Henderson is trying to bring Long Run “back to the boil” for the rearranged William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton next weekend.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is closing in on Gordon Strachan’s replacement with Tony Mowbray firmly in the frame.

Lee Miller was today on the brink of a move to Middlesbrough.

Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 1

West Brom jumped to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with an emphatic 4-1 win at home to Bristol City.

Former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate claims he was told after he was sacked that Gordon Strachan had been lined up as his successor more than two weeks earlier.

The jailed mother of Rhys Jones’s killer lost her home today after a judge granted a possession order to her landlord.

Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 0

Middlesbrough 1 Bolton 3

Middlesbrough youngster Adam Johnson believes it will not be long before team-mate Stewart Downing seeks a move to a “big team”.

Middlesbrough have signed France Under-21 midfielder Didier Digard from Paris St Germain for just over £4m.

George Boateng admits the odds of him being at Middlesbrough next season are no better than “50-50”.

Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 0

Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United’s title setback will only inspire his players to keep going to the last minute of the campaign.

Liverpool 3 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough’s record signing Afonso Alves is clear to begin his career at the Riverside after the Brazil striker was granted a visa.

Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the Riverside until 2011.

Middlesbrough are set to clinch the signing of Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves in the next 24 hours, according to chief executive Keith Lamb.

Bristol City 1 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough 0 Everton 2

MIDDLESBROUGH skipper George Boateng admits his side’s Premier League struggle is “killing” him.

Middlesbrough have recalled winger Adam Johnson from his successful loan spell at Watford.

Middlesbrough are ready to put Egyptian striker Mido through an intensive fitness programme once he completes his £6m move from Tottenham.

Birmingham have completed the signing of left-back Franck Queudrue from Fulham in a deal which could be worth £2.5m.

Middlesbrough 3 Fulham 1

Middlesbrough captain George Boateng promised his side will be stronger next season after an inconsistent season.

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta could still leave Teesside before the end of the season, according to Boro manager Gareth Southgate.

READING manager Steve Coppell believes his side have the draw “nobody wanted” after being pitted against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round.