A manuscript of Samuel Beckett’s novel Murphy has sold at auction for just under €1.2m.

Coventry 1 Bristol City 0

Middlesbrough 2-1 Coventry

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has launched a Bord Bia initiative in Spain, designed to boost the image and reputation of Irish food in the Spanish market.

QPR’s seemingly unstoppable march towards promotion from the npower Championship continued as they posted a workmanlike 1-0 win over Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Preston 2 Coventry 1

IS there anything that defines the taste of summer better than freshly-picked, juicy strawberries liberally doused in cream?

IRISH food companies need to work together as partners and not as competitors, according to a new report published yesterday.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen yesterday backed the concept of having an umbrella national brand for Irish food and drink products.

Simon Cox’s second-half volley was enough to keep West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.

Coventry 1 Portsmouth 2 (after extra time)

PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant admits it is becoming tough for his players to ignore the cash-strapped club’s off-the-field issues.

Portsmouth 1 Coventry 1

Portsmouth 1 Coventry 1

Nottingham Forest 2 Coventry 0

Coventry 2 Ipswich 1

TWO more claims have been brought against alleged pyramid scheme operator Breifne O’Brien for the repayment of monies given to him to invest.

A MAN said to be involved in the taxi business, who allegedly operated a pyramid investment scheme over 15 years, misappropriating millions to fund his lifestyle and business interests, has agreed to a court order restraining him from reducing his assets below €20 million.

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin was tonight urged to provide emergency accommodation for more than 300 children whose school was extensively damaged in a fire.

THE administrator of Coca-Cola League One side Luton has confirmed “more than one” bid has been received for the troubled club and that they hope to be in exclusive talks with the winning bidder within a week.

SUBSTITUTE Tim Cahill fired Everton into the Carling Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 19 years at the expense of Luton. Manager David Moyes left the Australia international on the bench as one of six changes to his starting line-up but was forced to call on the midfielder as League One Luton — the lowest-placed side in the competition — held out for extra time.

Substitute Tim Cahill fired Everton into the Carling Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 19 years at the expense of Luton.

Luton manager Mike Newell could face disciplinary action after launching an attack on foreign players and match officials after his side’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Shelbourne will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face relegation threatened St Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park.

Don Givens believes he is faced with a double-edged sword these days when it comes to his role as Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager.

Derry City can go top of the eircom Premier Division with a victory over St Patrick’s Athletic at the Brandywell.

HAVING played in Ireland’s last two senior games under Brian Kerr, Celtic’s Aiden McGeady insists he is ready to push as hard for the Ireland U21s when they take on Israel in a make or break European Championship game on Friday.

ISRAEL manager Avraham Grant has claimed it will be an unfamiliar Israel team that Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland will face on Saturday week.

Don Givens has made six changes to his squad for the upcoming Under 21 European Championship game with Israel.

Irish U21s manager Don Givens’ young guns crashed to a third straight defeat to further dent their confidence.

COCA-COLA League Two leaders Scunthorpe had their lead slashed to five points after being held by Chester yesterday.

St Patrick's Athletic full-back Paul Donnelly is in line for his first start since May 3 as Saints play host to Drogheda United at Richmond Park tonight (7.45pm).

Dublin City 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic 2

Irish youth international David Bell could make his St Patrick's Athletic debut as the Saints take on fellow relegation strugglers Derry City at Richmond Park tonight (7.45pm).

The Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Don Givens has named a 20-man squad to take part in the Madeira International Tournament at the end of this month.

Republic of Ireland 2 Colombia 3

Republic of Ireland 2, Mexico 0

Rep of Ireland 2 Ivory Coast 2

WITH the evolution of the Irish youth team nearing completion, Glenn Whelan just wants the games of this 14th World U20 Championship to begin.

Republic of Ireland manager Gerry Smith has given his Under-20s squad a day off today following an impressive 2 - 0 victory over an Al Ain club reserve side last night in the run-up to their first game of the World Youth Championships against Saudi Arabia in Al Ain on Saturday (kick-off 1.45 p.m. Irish time).

Republic of Ireland U20 0 Paraguay U20 1

Republic of Ireland U20 2 Italy U20 0

KEVIN DOYLE, the Cork City striker, yesterday joined the Irish U-20 squad for tonight’s friendly against Italy at Belfield (7.30 pm) as Ireland continue their preparations for the World Cup Finals for Youths in the United Arab Emirates next month.

The Irish Under-19 squad has made five late changes for the four-team tournamnet in Oport in Portugal this week.