It is a small mercy that Jana Novotna’s pomp predated clickbait. And that the industry around badness — which now rivals the business of controvassy — hadn’t been born.

Jenny Rispin is a player that stands out. In a fortnight that’s seen the dual star dilemma raise its ugly head again for Cork, Rispin and the Meath ladies footballers have been furrowing away under the radar ahead of today’s All-Ireland qualifier in Semple Stadium (3pm, live on TG4).

When Aaron Ramsey hit the post in the late stages of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, I’m sure I wasn’t the only Gooner wondering if it might be destined not to be our day.

Harry Arter marked his 25th birthday in style by scoring for the fifth successive league game as Bournemouth beat Millwall 2-0 to move four points clear at the top of the Championship.

Tyrone defender Conor Clarke could make a dramatic return to action for Omagh in Sunday’s Ulster club final — just six months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The trend of the Meath SFC title not being retained since Dunshaughlin completed a three-in-a-row in 2002 continues, with Wolfe Tones sending holders Summerhill packing, 2-11 to 0-8, in a quarter-final clash at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday.

Cork 3-13 Meath 0-13

The number of contenders for the Meath SFC title was reduced to nine following the final round of the group phase at the weekend — and 2011 champions Summerhill were among the big winners.

Meath 1-25 Down 2-22 (aet)

Reading 0 Liverpool 0

Meath 1-17 Sligo 2-12

Reading players have come out in support of former manager Brian McDermott after Russian owner Anton Zingarevich made the decision to axe the 51-year-old yesterday.

Reading 0 Wigan Athletic 3

Manchester United 2 Reading 1

Reading forward Noel Hunt is back in contention for the Royals’ trip to Stoke tomorrow.

Reading manager Brian McDermott has made seven changes for the Royals’ potentially tricky FA Cup third round trip to Crawley, with Ian Harte appointed captain for the first time.

Reading 1 West Ham 0

Reading 0 Swansea 0

Veteran Reading striker Jason Roberts (hip) is again missing as Swansea visit the Madejski Stadium in the Barclays Premier League on St Stephen's Day.

Reading 2 Everton 1

Reading 0 Norwich 0

Park Ji-sung did not make the matchday squad for QPR in their vital Barclays Premier League match against fellow strugglers Reading at Loftus Road.

Reading 3 Fulham 3

Mick O’Dowd of the Skryne club was ratified as the new Meath senior football manager in succession to Seamus McEnaney at last night’s county board meeting in Navan.

Reading 1 Tottenham 3

Reading boss Brian McDermott is hopeful that the Royals’ can kickstart their Premier League campaign at the Madejski Stadium this weekend when they host Tottenham.

AN unfashionable club tipped to head straight back out of the Premier League exit door at the first attempt.

Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-13

Kildare beaten, convincingly.

Irish teenager Pierce Sweeney is hoping to emulate the likes of Kevin Doyle and Shane Long after swapping League of Ireland football for newly promoted Premier League side Reading.

Meath completed a Leinster championship double success over Wicklow when the Royals’ juniors advanced to the semi-final after this win at Páirc Tailteann last night.

Seamus McEnaney dismissed talk of pressure being lifted off his shoulders following yesterday’s win — his first with Meath in 15 weeks.

Meath reversed two league results to advance to the Christy Ring Cup semi-final at the expense of Kildare at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann on Saturday.

Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to fire Reading ever closer to the Barclays Premier League at promotion rivals Southampton last night.

David Bentley could make a shock appearance for Tottenham before the end of the season after he was named in the club’s 25-man squad for the rest of the current campaign.

SEAN BOYLAN is poised to make a dramatic return to the main stage in Meath as the new director of football.

WEST BROM manager Roy Hodgson believes Shane Long’s “attitude” will ensure he fulfils his potential at the Baggies.

HOLDERS Skryne failed to make it through to the last eight of the Meath SFC despite defeating already qualified Dunboyne by 0-13 to 0-7 at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

THE four All-Ireland SFC third round qualifiers will be all-provincial ties if Armagh beat Wicklow next weekend.

READING striker Shane Long wants to repay manager Brian McDermott’s faith by shooting his team into the Barclays Premier League in today’s npower Championship final against Swansea.