One of the most important meetings of my year took place earlier this week in the front seat of the car, writes Michael Moynihan.

What is all the fuss and hype about Garth Brooks?

Two British teenagers attacked with acid on the African island of Zanzibar have arrived back in the UK.

It was a bittersweet prize-giving for double-Olympian Peter O’Leary at the newly refurbished Kinsale Yacht Club late on Saturday evening.

If the first two days of the Covestone Asset Management Sovereigns Cup were branded “champagne sailing”, yesterday was the cork being firmly shoved back into the bottle as fresh to strong winds took their toll across the 90-strong turnout.

A second day of superb sailing conditions graced the 90-strong fleet competing in the Covestone Asset Management Sovereigns Cup at Kinsale yesterday.

It was Andy Williams who first recorded the song about Christmas, claiming that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”, but then the GAA and its unique fascinations probably weren’t all that big a deal around Wall Lake, Iowa where the famous old crooner was born.

Swindon 2 Aston Villa 3

With a string of gold albums and the signature Moon River, Andy Williams — who has died at the age of 84 — was a voice of the 1960s in America, although not the ’60s people usually hear about now.

Moon River singer Andy Williams has died aged 84.

Stoke 3 Swindon 4 (after extra-time)

All around Gannon Park in Malahide, the atmosphere is as serene and as low-key as you might expect of a training session for a forgettable pre-season friendly against Serbia.

Shay Given flew in and out of London yesterday to learn that he’s out for Bosnia but, it appears, in for the Euros.

This Wednesday, the normally quiet streets of Kinsale will echo to an unusual musical happening as a “Battle of the Pianos” takes centre stage at a local restaurant.

CHRISTMAS, to paraphrase Andy Williams, is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

Singer Andy Williams has revealed that he is battling bladder cancer.

Anyone who has ever watched Soccer Saturday will be familiar with the banter-loving, satirical, humorous and outrageously witty Jeff Stelling who anchors the show, but the Hartlepool native also has a serious side. But not too serious!

Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis has signed up U2 – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr – to perform for the first time at the world famous festival which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.

Andy Williams has announced plans to perform at Glastonbury – aged 82.

Peterborough clinched second spot and promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship with a 1-0 win over Colchester today.

Injury-hit Wales will face world champions South Africa and one of the most powerful back rows in Test rugby without a specialist open-side flanker.

Leinster 41 Newport-Gwent Dragons 8

Newport Gwent Dragons Andy Hall is set to make his 100th appearance in the Celtic league when the region takes on Leinster at RSD Dublin in the Magners League on Saturday.

Newport Gwent Dragons have announced a 24-man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with Leinster at RDS Dublin on Saturday May 3, kick-off 6pm.

THE champagne was not the only thing Bristol Rovers kept on ice after their FA Cup fifth round triumph over Southampton on Saturday.

Bristol Rovers 1 Southampton 0

Bristol Rovers 0 Fulham 0 (AET - Bristol Rovers win 5-3 on penalties)

Newport Gwent Dragons 0 Perpignan 25

Fulham 2 Bristol Rovers 2

Perpignan 23 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

Perpignan 23 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

Newport Gwent Dragons 16 Munster 26

Scarlets 23 Dragons 30

WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley insists he has not fallen out of love with the Carling Cup despite Kieron Dyer’s horrific leg break at Bristol Rovers.

Gareth Thomas will lead Wales from full-back and veteran hooker Mefin Davies returns at hooker as the tourists look to level the Test series against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

New Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has named Ospreys prop Duncan Jones as captain of a youthful 28-man squad for this summer’s two-Test tour of Argentina.

PREMIERSHIP champions Chelsea are back in the dock after the FA yesterday charged the Blues with failing to control their players.

COLIN CHARVIS has been dropped by Wales coach Scott Johnson as one of three personnel changes for the final RBS Six Nations Championship clash against France on Saturday.

Wales have dropped flanker Colin Charvis for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title favourites France in Cardiff.

Wales expect to find out today whether in-form wing Mark Jones will be fit for the final Six Nations Championship clash against France at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

England 47 Wales 13

Chelsea 1 Charlton 1

Wales have not closed the door on wing Kevin Morgan and flanker Dafydd Jones being fit for next Saturday’s Millennium Stadium clash against South Africa.