This weekend, rugby confirms its place among the debased, increasingly cynical, and commercially compassed sports of our world.

Nike are to close their Oregon Project less than two weeks after head coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years for doping violations.

It may be just coincidental that as parts of the country were battered by Lorenzo yesterday Ireland’s rugby players made unexpectedly heavy weather of beating Russia in the tremendous heat and draining humidity in Kobe’s sweatbox to keep the World Cup dream alive.

This wasn’t an easy assignment for Ciara Mageean, for reasons that run far deeper than performance alone. Either way, it was one she passed with flying colours here at the World Championships in Doha.

For several years, it was not so much smoke but thick clouds of cynicism that hung over Salazar’s work as head coach at the Nike Oregon Project.

Scintillating, thrilling and full of potential - Ciara Mageean has moved considerably closer to Sonia O’Sullivan’s long-standing Irish women’s mile record by carving three-and-a-half seconds off her lifetime best in Monaco, in a race where the vintage world record was smashed by Sifan Hassan.

Sir Mo Farah has criticised the degree of attention given to his relationship with controversial coach Alberto Salazar and claims some critics are "trying to destroy" his legacy.

The killer burst of speed down the home straight, the arms outstretched in victory as he crossed the line, eyes so wide they looked in imminent danger of popping out of their sockets, a mixture of joy and pain etched across his face - the scenes were nothing new.

IAAF president Seb Coe is in favour of erasing world records in international athletics set by suspected drugs cheats, according to UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner.

Mo Farah looks set to miss the World Indoor Championships in March to focus on the defence of his Olympic titles.

Paula Radcliffe has warned that “many innocent athletes” face being implicated in the doping scandal currently engulfing athletics following allegations of large-scale blood test irregularities.

Mo Farah put a summer of speculation behind him to make it half a dozen global titles as he again proved unbeatable over 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Beijing.

Back at the scene of his 2008 Olympic triumphs, Usain Bolt will square off against controversial American Justin Gatlin in the 100m at the world championships.

UK Athletics has found no evidence of wrongdoing by Mo Farah in the initial findings of its investigation into allegations of doping against his coach Alberto Salazar.

The search for Barry Davis Ryan in Baltimore continues, a breakthrough may be on the cards in the crisis over Greece’s future in the Eurozone, Sinn Féin is vowing to fight water charge legislation tooth and nail and 10 things you need to know about AC/DC ahead of tonight’s gig in Dublin. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah claims doping allegations against coach Alberto Salazar are “killing” him personally but admits he would sever all ties with the American should he be found guilty.

Athletics coach Alberto Salazar has again strenuously denied doping allegations made against him, saying he believes in clean sport and hard work.

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah missed two drugs tests in the build up to the 2012 Games, it has been reported.

Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar has denied “all allegations of doping” and is determined to prove his innocence following allegations he had overseen Galen Rupp’s use of banned substances.

Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar has denied “all allegations of doping” in a statement released to The Guardian.

Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar has staunchly defended his athlete against doping accusations — which he views as opponents making excuses.

Ciarán Ó Lionáird turned a “turbulent” 2012 into a composed bronze medal-winning performance on Saturday evening at the European Indoor championships in Gothenburg and now wants to make an impact on the world stage.

Mo Farah has revealed how the biggest gamble of his career turned him from a weakling who runs “like a girl” into a double Olympic champion.

CIARÁN Ó LIONÁIRD is among the Irish athletes with preliminary entries for the world indoor championships in Istanbul in March and the Corkman, who turned in a series of stunning outdoor performances last season, is ready to answer the call if things go to plan.

CIARAN Ó LIONÁIRD flew to Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday to continue his build-up to next year’s Olympic Games under legendary marathon runner Alberto Salazar, who heads up the Nike Oregon Project.