From the time he signed for a six under par 65 after the first qualifying round on Saturday last, Galway’s Ronan Mullarney looked a very sound bet for his first victory in the AIG Irish Close Championship.

Four powerful strikers have battled their way through the most demanding of weather conditions to contest this morning’s semi-finals of the AIG Irish Close Championship at Ballybunion.

Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell hit route 66 to lead the Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Championship by a shot at Co Sligo.

Happiness for some is a long walk with a putter. But for West of Ireland champion Robert Brazill, few things match the thrill of ripping a drive a mile — especially if he’s trying to beat a souped-up track car down the straight at Mondello Park.

A 14-year-old boy has been sentenced to 28 years in prison without parole for murdering his favourite teacher.