James Paxton struck out 12 as the New York Yankees thrashed bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox 8-0.

The Los Angeles Dodgers set a record for home runs on the opening day of a Major League Baseball season with eight in the 12-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Now that Derek Jeter has left baseball, the rest of the sport can focus on the real business of October, the play-offs and the suddenly dramatic road to the World Series.

Celebrations erupted in Boston as the capture of the remaining marathon bombing suspect was announced in a tweet from police.

It was a week for reflection. A week when we marvelled at a great champion besting injury to captivate us with a dramatic entrance.

A few years ago, a Bantry friend nonchalantly pointed at the full moon as we hurtled towards his hometown and predicted a night of violence, destruction and half-eaten chicken suppers.

Pete Flynn is firmly ensconced in retirement now so I decided to reconnect with him on Monday.

CHEAP hot dogs, subsidised travel and discounted tickets.

NUMBERS were down for big GAA championship games over the weekend, with just over 15,000 in Thurles for the Limerick-Waterford Munster SHC replay and Galway-Kilkenny failing to fill Tullamore’s O’Connor Park for an eagerly-anticipated clash.

SAN Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds struggled to describe his emotions after blasting his 755th career home run to equal Hank Aaron’s record on Saturday evening.