Ireland qualified for the 2015 World Cup following a dramatic tie against Holland in Amstelveen.

Ireland were denied a historic win, as former Limavady professional Kamran Akmal blasted Pakistan to a two-wicket victory in the second RSA one-day international at Clontarf yesterday.

Ireland's cricketers recorded the highest total in their 158-year history to remain in total control on the second day of their InterContinental Cup clash against the UAE in Sharjah.

British police have admitted there have been no reported sightings of 15-year-old schoolgirl Megan Stammers or her maths teacher Jeremy Forrest, 30, since the pair crossed into France.

The mother of a 15-year-old girl who has run away to France with her 30-year-old teacher made a direct appeal to her last night: “Sweetheart, I don’t care what you’ve done or why, I just want you home.”

In the Year of the Dragon, Amy Chua profiles four Chinese powerhouse women who bucked tradition to get rich — very, very rich

IRELAND have named a full-strength squad for next Thursday’s one-day international against England at Clontarf.

HENRY Cecil declared Frankel to be the greatest horse he had ever set eyes upon after his colt turned the much-publicised clash with Canford Cliffs into an almost hopeless mis-match in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood yesterday.

Henry Cecil declared Frankel to be the greatest horse he had ever set eyes upon after his colt turned the much-publicised clash with Canford Cliffs into an almost hopeless mis-match in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood today.

A senior UK music industry executive is reportedly among two men feared dead after a boat carrying six passengers capsized.

Cricket Ireland today announced their preliminary squad for the 2011 World Cup which is being held in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

ED JOYCE has been given special dispensation to represent his native Ireland in the 2011 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) last night confirmed.

ED JOYCE has turned his back on England in favour of resuming his international career with his native Ireland.

ENGLAND are confident their surprise call-up of Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott for this week’s fourth Ashes Test will not backfire in a similar manner to last year’s shock selection for the Headingley Test.

21 year old left arm spinner Gary Kidd has been drafted in to the Ireland squad for their Friends Provident Trophy clash with Sussex tomorrow.

Ireland opening bowler Dave Langford-Smith will miss the two games against Surrey and Sussex in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Steve Harmison returns to first-class action tomorrow determined to regain his position as one of the most feared bowlers in the world.

PAKISTAN assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed has become the first member of the World Cup party to appear before a performance evaluation committee.

THE Irish Cricket Union have signed 21-year-old Vernon Philander as one of their two permitted overseas players for this year’s Friends Provident Trophy.

Nannina has emerged from her brilliant display in the Coronation Stakes in great order and remains on course for a clash with the colts in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Big Brother reject Dennis Rodman today shook off his eviction blues by signing for the Genesis Brighton Bears basketball team.

IRELAND’S cricketers will make history next June when they play England in the first one-day international between the two nations in this country.

ONE of Ireland’s brightest cricket stars may be about to transfer his allegiances to England.

The two expletive-laden singles which graphically describe the downfall of a relationship are topping the UK singles chart for yet another week.

Coral have cut Yeats to 3-1 favourite for the Vodafone English Derby after reporting a £30,000 (€45,000) bet on the colt.

John Higgins failed to complete a hat-trick of maximum breaks but was still in top form as he reached the quarter-finals of the British Open today.

Leicester handed a full debut to non-contract signing Nicky Summerbee in their opening First Division clash at the new Walkers Stadium against Watford.

Sussex police have launched an investigation into allegations that Peter Taylor attacked a photographer yesterday afternoon, only hours before it was announced he had stepped down as manager of Second Division champions Brighton.

Police are investigating an allegation that Liam Gallagher indecently assaulted a female member of British Airways staff.