It says a lot about where Ireland are and where they want to be that last night’s draw with world number six Korea at the Electric Ireland FIH Road to London Olympic qualifier at a sold-out Belfield was met with disappointment by coach and players alike.

Ireland 1 Korea 1

IRELAND turned on the style to blitz Russia 4-0 and top their pool on goal difference from hosts France at the Champions Challenge II in Lille yesterday.

After two days of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson there are only three top 10 seeds left – and they are all European.

An upset Rory McIlroy was given something to smile about at Celtic Manor today - team-mates and caddies wearing wigs that resembled his very distinctive curly hair.

Corey Pavin would be glued to a clash between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup this week – but he has no wish to pre-arrange it with Colin Montgomerie.

A CORK developer who transferred money from a construction project in the Caribbean to bank accounts in Carrigaline and Bishopstown has told the High Court they were legitimate transfers for personal and business purposes.

RORY McILROY pulled a brilliant victory from the jaws of defeat when the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship began in Tucson yesterday.

Rory McIlroy pulled a brilliant victory from the jaws of defeat when the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship began in Tucson today.

IRELAND’S hockey coach Paul Revington has described the loss of two key players on the eve of his side’s World Cup qualification campaign as ‘a body blow’.

Phil Mickelson ended the third round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational as he started it, with a one-stroke lead.

Mike Weir fired a five-under-par 68 in the third round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes-Benz championship.

Mike Weir turned in a bogey-free second round on Friday to grab a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Stephen Ames collected his first title in more than a year and a half by shooting a four-under-par 68 in the final round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Lake Buena Vista in Florida today.

Stephen Ames stumbled down the stretch but still has a share of the lead after Saturday’s third round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.

Scott Verplank fired a second consecutive bogey-free six-under-par 66 today to open up a one-stroke lead at the midway point of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Florida.

Scott Verplank fired a second consecutive bogey-free six-under-par 66 today to open up a one-stroke lead at the midway point of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Florida.

US authorities have informed Germany that they will not extradite 13 suspected CIA agents sought in the alleged kidnapping of a German citizen.

Tiger Woods‘ withdrawal from next week‘s opening tournament in the FedEx Cup series has met with a mixed reaction.

Simon Dyson and Colin Montgomerie both made good starts in the final round of the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills today.

Tiger Woods held a three-shot lead as he went for his 13th career major championship victory – but that advantage is even larger when you consider the mindset of those chasing him in the US PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods came within a fraction of making history but still did more than enough to take command of the US PGA Championship.

A CERTAIN Steve Banky became something of a household name in American golfing circles at the weekend.

Accenture world match play champion Geoff Ogilvy admits “brains are sometimes not my best attribute” but has advised Tiger Woods’ opponents not to upset him in Tucson this week.

A highly contagious form of stomach flu sickened hundreds of passengers during a voyage on the famed Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship in what US health officials called an unusually large outbreak.

American Tim Herron, without a victory in over seven years, and Australian Rod Pampling share the lead with a round to go in the Bank of America Colonial tournament in Texas.

Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink leads the Bank of America Colonial tournament in Texas after undertaking what he calls “an overhaul of my whole attitude”.

Just 32 days after being demolished by Tiger Woods, former European Tour member Stephen Ames celebrated the biggest win of his career in Florida.

Just 32 days after being hammered by Tiger Woods, former European Tour player Stephen Ames was heading for the biggest win of his career in Florida.

Greg Owen, like Jean Van de Velde more famous for losing a tournament than winning one, and Ian Poulter saw their dreams of playing in this year’s Masters fade away today.

Sergio Garcia, the star who craves a major golf title so much, could achieve the next best thing tomorrow.

GREG OWEN came off Sawgrass proud of himself yesterday after showing the golfing world he is a real fighter as well as a quality player.

THE countdown to next month’s Masters at Augusta starts in earnest today as the US Tour kicks off its ‘Florida Swing’ with nine of the world’s top 10 competing in the Ford Championship at Doral.

The countdown to next month’s Masters at Augusta starts in earnest tomorrow as the US Tour kicks off its ‘Florida Swing’ with nine of the world’s top 10 competing in the Ford Championship at Doral.

In what he calls “the start of my mini-season”, Nick Faldo this week plays his first tournament in America since pulling out of the Masters with back trouble last April.

Pádraig Harrington was the only Irishman still standing at the Accenture World Match Play championship as Tiger Woods broke another record at La Costa near San Diego today.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON was the only Irishman still standing on a day when there was no keeping Tiger Woods out of the headlines when the Accenture World Match Play championship began at La Costa near San Diego.

Stephen Ames admits he does not like match play much. But that did not stop him hastily changing plans after being giving the chance to take on Tiger Woods tomorrow in the Accenture World Championship in San Diego.

Mark Calcavecchia nearly squandered all of what was a seemingly comfortable lead on Saturday in the third round of the $5.5m (€4.4m) Bell Canadian Open.

WHILE Stephen Ames will be looking to defend his only PGA Tour title at the Western Open, Tiger Woods will have his sights set on an even loftier goal.

Charles Howell and Stephen Ames were tied for the clubhouse lead when play was suspended during the second round of the Bay Hill Invitational in Florida.

VINCENT BROWNE was utterly indignant on his programme on Tuesday night as he launched into the Irish Times over the column in which Kevin Myers used the term “bastards” in an offensive and distinctly insensitive way.

Tiger Woods is now only joint favourite for the Open with Ernie Els, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.