Ireland’s inexperienced women’s out-half Nikki Caughey thought there would be more nerves on her return to the team against Wales last weekend after a two-year absence with injury.

Much is expected of the Irish women today as they take to the fast-paced 4G surface at Donnybrook for the first time in the Six Nations, but captain Niamh Briggs as warned her players that they must make the Dublin venue a fortress.

Caution returned to Wall Street today as investors gave back some gains from last week’s rally even as they found encouragement from President-elect Barack Obama’s calls for an economic stimulus package

Wall Street began a holiday-shortened week with a moderate pullback today as investors recoiled at bleak news from Toyota and drugstore operator Walgreen.

FAILTE Ireland’s top man in Northern Ireland is standing down.

Wall Street resumed its advance today as investors interpreted a government report of milder inflation as a signal that the Federal Reserve might consider cutting interest rates later this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial averages soared to a five-year high today.