Team Montenotte’s unbeaten record in the Women’s Premier League is sure to be tested when they play joint leaders Courtyard Liffey Celtics at Upper Glanmire Sports Centre tomorrow.

The Taoiseach has blown open a bitter row in his party by blaming unnamed officials for the botched handling of Fine Gael’s nomination for the Seanad by-election.

THE Government was accused of using an appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) as a "electoral ploy" to "railroad through" its nomination for a forthcoming Seanad by-election.

ONE word stood out from the judgment that sent Ivor Callely to prison for five months yesterday. Entitlement.

Sarah Connolly discovers that hotels all over the world are tuning in to the needs of tech-savvy travellers with up-to-date gadgets.

IF the people abolish the Seanad, in a referendum in October, then that outcome will most likely be traceable to this week’s act of self-sabotage by members of the Upper House.

Senators hit out at Fine Gael’s campaign to abolish the Seanad amid promises that savings from closing the Upper House could go to fund services for those with special needs.

The backbench rebellion against the abolition of the Seanad is growing, with more TDs and senators opposing the Government’s plan to shut down the upper house.

Fianna Fáil has said it will publish detailed proposals on Seanad reform as part of their campaign against its abolition.

WORD from the rarified surrounds of Seanad Éireann, the crèche that cares for the oldest and boldest children in the country, that the rations are low and the natives are restless.

THE Waterford senior hurling championship is down to the last four, with two derby pairings this weekend.

ON a weekend when all the qualification and relegation issues in the Waterford SHC were determined, pride of place goes to Mount Sion who brought Ballygunner’s hitherto unbeaten group stage run to a shuddering halt at a fiery Walsh Park encounter on Saturday evening.

FOUR out of five senators are double-jobbing or have extra incomes on top of the €70,000-plus paid to them by the State for working just three days a week, 34 weeks a year in the Upper House.

A new all-encompassing education authority is being used as a trojan horse to exert more government control over schools, an Assembly member warned today.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat Moylan was today formally elected unopposed as Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad.

A Northern Ireland Office minister was today criticised for remaining silent on the death threat against the chief executive of a council in the North.

Chris Wall’s decision to take Paradise Isle on an awayday to Haydock Park paid off when the gallant mare landed the Timeform Silver Salver at the Merseyside venue.

An Orangeman on Northern Ireland’s Parades Commission was today urged to resign after fresh questions were raised about his appointment.

Government TD GV Wright is to retire from politics at the next General Election to pursue other interests and make way for a younger successor, it emerged today.

WATERFORD County Board secretary Seamus Grant is warning that the number of team training sessions may have to be limited due to spiralling costs.

THERE must be no going back to the past on capital taxes. The truth is that the halving of the capital gains tax rate has brought about an extraordinary eightfold increase in receipts.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble today offered an olive branch to his party critics, urging them to think again about their revolt against his policies.

Republicans must play by the same rules as their political rivals, a former nationalist minister told Sinn Fein today.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble moved today to scotch claims that he knew in advance about Irish and British Government moves to protect cross border bodies.

CORINTHIANS stand proudly at the top of Division Three with their second successive league victory - this time at home to Banbridge.

SINN Féin’s leadership appears to be in denial about the root problems in the Northern Ireland peace process, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble claimed last night.

Portadown Orangemen were urged tonight to recognise their awesome responsibility to Northern Ireland to protest peacefully at Drumcree at the weekend.

Northern Finance Minister Mark Durkan was today accused of providing ‘‘iniquitous’’ rate relief for GAA club buildings while levying charges on Orange Order halls.

Republicans were today accused of causing the foot-and-mouth crisis in Northern Ireland by smuggling livestock across the border.