Down and Kildare advanced to the semi-finals of the Christy Ring Cup, following wins over Derry and Wicklow respectively this afternoon.

Laois and Westmeath will contest the Division 2A Allianz Hurling League final, with both taking wins today, while elsewhere Kerry had a slender one-point win over Derry.

Stephen Maher fired 1-7 as Laois claimed top-spot of the Allianz NHL Division 2A this afternoon, with first wins of the campaign for Wicklow and Westmeath.

Derry, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow advanced to the Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup semi-finals following today’s action.

Irish Life has sold a sovereign annuity bond with a value of roughly €20m to a defined benefit pension scheme.

Goals were key for both London and Meath as they advanced to the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals next weekend, following wins over Derry and Kildare respectively this afternoon.

Kildare secured a place in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2B final, while there were also wins over the weekend for the Meath and London hurlers.

Kildare enjoyed a goal feast as they kept their promotion bid very much on track against a helpless Roscommon side in Athleague.

Armagh and Kildare collected victories in Division 2B of the Hurling League this afternoon.

Up to 80% of defined benefit pension schemes are failing to meet funding standards, with the total deficit estimated to be €8bn.

Some 80% of Defined Pension Schemes are failing to meet funding standards, according to Irish Life.

Starting and finishing strongly, Kildare got off to a winning start in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League at Navan’s Pairc Tailteann.

UNTAINTED is the word that springs to mind when it comes to Donal Vaughan.

Wicklow 3-11 Kildare 2-11

Kildare and Down booked their places in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals following wins in today's quarter-final encounters.

Kerry hurlers secured home advantage for the semi-final of the Christy Ring Cup following their comprehensive defeat of Westmeath at Tralee this afternoon.

WORKERS starting a pension have been warned they need to contribute at least a sixth of their weekly wage if they want a pension worth two-thirds of their salary on retirement.

Clare 2-15 Kildare 0-11

NHL DIVISION 2:

LAOIS proved too strong for their Antrim hosts when recording a 2-19 to 1-12 victory at Casement Park yesterday.

Kildare 4-10 Westmeath 0-11

Laois 1-15 Kildare 0-8, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Carlow 1-16 Kildare 1-13

Kildare 2-18 Meath 1-18

KILDARE 5-20 LONGFORD 1-07

DIT 3-12 KILDARE 2-06

CHRISTY RING CUP GROUP 2D: ARMAGH 0-13 KILDARE 5-16

Despite missing both Billy and Shane Brick, Kerry's hurlers still have enough quality to see off the challenge of Wicklow by 4-07 to 1-11 in NHL Division 2A this afternoon.

The sight of former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Andy Comerford pacing the sidelines at St Conleth's Park in Newbridge helped to inspire his Kildare side to a facile 9-12 to 2-7 Kehoe Cup victory over DCU this afternoon.

DAVID Harney has been appointed chief executive of the corporate business division of Irish Life, which is responsible for the sale of Irish Life pension and protection products to the corporate and affinity market in Ireland.

RISK equalisation will still be needed in Ireland’s evolving health insurance market to support community rating because the two issues are so closely linked, the Society of Actuaries in Ireland insisted yesterday.

Down gained revenge for their Ulster SHC semi-final defeat at the hands of Antrim last month by beating the Saffrons in their Christy Ring Cup opener this afternoon.

Despite having left half-forward Rory Dunbar sent off, Carlow fought back to grab a 1-11 to 2-8 draw with Wicklow in today's opening game of the 2006 Christy Ring Cup.

THE GAA will honour 15 of the best players from the teams who participated in the inaugural Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cup competitions at a function in Croke Park on Saturday, November 26.

Thirty hurlers who excelled in the summer's inaugural Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cup competitions are to be honoured at a function in Croke Park on Saturday, November 26.

Raising the retirement age to 75 would be the most effective way of avoiding a pensions crisis in Ireland, it was claimed today.