Gardaí have gone to great lengths this week — the entire country, to be precise — to show how a little blood, sweat and tears can go a long way.

Former Ireland rugby league forward Ryan Tandy has died at the age of 32.

Ray Crowley is used to nurses sticking needles in him and endures what is medically known as a phlebotomy.

Check out today's horse racing tips from courses around Ireland and the UK.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) faces a “significant challenge” to increase blood donations in the coming months, according to chief executive Andy Kelly.

The number of blood donations was down by more than 5,000 last year compared to 2011, it was revealed today.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is warning that donations are urgently needed as blood supplies are low.

The Garda Traffic Corps in Cork City is out for blood, literally.

IRELAND coach Andy Kelly has included 13 Super League players in his 30-man training squad for next month’s Alitalia European Cup. The contingent is headed by prop Eamon O’Carroll and hooker Mick McIlorum but Warriors team-mate Pat Richards, one of Ireland’s heroes from their 2008 World Cup campaign, is not available.

Ireland 82 Serbia 0

BRIAN CARNEY’S return to rugby league is set to provide Ireland with a major boost for the end-of-season European Nations Cup.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE saw their faint Heineken Cup hopes extinguished despite a comprehensive bonus point victory against Montauban in the all-French Pool One clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

Edinburgh 32 Castres 14

Ireland 14 Fiji 30

Ireland coach Andy Kelly set his sights on 2013 after watching his side fall one hurdle short of the World Cup semi-finals.

Ireland 14 Fiji 30

IRELAND drew inspiration for their stunning 34-16 World Cup victory over Samoa from Muhammad Ali.

Ireland 34 Samoa 16

IRELAND coach Andy Kelly insists his side will not go chasing points in their crunch World Cup clash with Samoa in Parramatta.

SIMON FINNIGAN insists Ireland will overcome the “devastation” of their two-point defeat by Tonga to make another important contribution to the 2008 World Cup.

Ireland 20 Tonga 22

Ireland 20 Tonga 22

Ireland will have 10 Super League players in their team to take on Tonga in their World Cup opening pool C match against Tonga at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow.

Ireland will be out to prove the doubters wrong when they meet Tonga in their opening Rugby League World Cup Pool Three clash at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday night.

Former Leeds stand-off Graham Holroyd’s debut for Ireland has been put on hold for at least nine days due to injury.

They were forced to fly at the back of the plane to Australia but Ireland’s unheralded squad believe they can finish at the sharp end of the Rugby League World Cup.

Former Wigan forward Mick Cassidy, who played for England in the 1995 World Cup, will bridge a 13-year gap when he represents Ireland in this year’s Rugby League tournament in Australia.

Wakefield rugby league back-row forward Jason Golden has been ruled out of Ireland’s World Cup plans through injury.

Ireland have been approached by international rugby union players considering switching codes ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Ireland have started a recruitment drive to bolster their squad for their assault on the Rugby League World Cup later this year.

Head coach Andy Kelly says Ireland will leave no stone unturned to ensure his team are competitive at the 2008 World Cup in Australia.

Ireland booked their trip to the 10-team World Cup next year in Australia in the most dramatic fashion today.

Ireland will be boosted by the presence of past and present Wigan players for their crunch World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Dewsbury next Friday.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly paid tribute to his side’s professionalism as they overcame Russia 58-18 in Carlow to take another step on the road to the 2008 World Cup.

Salford’s long-serving centre Stuart Littler will lead Ireland’s bid to reach the 2008 World Cup.

IRELAND came from 10-0 down at half-time to force a draw with Lebanon at Tolka Park, Dublin, in their second qualifying match for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

The Tri-Nations “Grannygate” affair has encouraged Ireland to be more diligent in scrutinising player eligibility.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly has included six players from Widnes Vikings in his provisional 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Russia and Lebanon.

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Edinburgh 33 Llanelli 32

Edinburgh 33 Newport-Gwent Dragons 3

Edinburgh 40 Perpignan 17

AN error during a blood transfusion may have caused the death of an elderly patient, a report has revealed.

THE Irish Blood Transfusion Service will next week begin the process of contacting blood donors who were not told for years that they had tested positive for hepatitis C.