Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey has backed Rory McIlroy’s decision to hold off on declaring whether he will represent Britain or Ireland at the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

WORLD rugby’s top official has predicted that the game will emulate football one day by taking the showpiece World Cup tournament to the Middle East — but not just yet.

DOUBLE Open champion Pádraig Harrington believes Olympic gold would be the ‘rarest and most prized achievement’ for any golfer.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has today welcomed the decision today by the International Olympic Committee members to include Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games.

GOLF and rugby sevens face one last test on Friday if they are to be included in the Olympics from 2016. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board voted to include both at a meeting two months ago.

Jacques Rogge has warned that rugby sevens faces “an uphill battle” to be included at future Olympic Games.

Alex Lowe

CORK City Council, all contributors and the citizens of Cork should be congratulated for the wonderful festive atmosphere created in celebrating the entry of 10 new member states to the European Union.