A mother said she would not forget a single detail of the day that her two-year-old daughter died after a road traffic collision involving a 40ft articulated truck.

A woman who was sexually assaulted by her father from when she was aged 10 to 14 years had her “childhood taken from her” by a person she should have been able to trust, a judge has said.

Jonathan Sexton flies back to France this week for a crucial Top 14 clash between his Racing Metro side and reigning champions Castres with opinion divided over his form.

A judge has ordered that a psychological report be prepared on a 57-year-old Tipperary man who pleaded guilty to the attempted coercion of the former president of Muintir na Tíre, Martin Quinn.

Ulster Director of Rugby David Humphries has said the death of Nevin Spence will leave a huge hole in the Ulster squad.

Playing on European rugby’s most exclusive stage may be a rarity to Ulster but they pack more than enough experience to offset any big-game jitters according to Jonathan Bell who won the Heineken Cup with the province in 1999.

Ulster’s former Auckland Blues prop John Afoa believes Joe Schmidt wouldn’t turn his back on Leinster to return to his old club.

A Tipperary man who was described as “an animal” will be sentenced next Monday after pleading guilty today to the rape and sexual abuse of three children.

Ulster still have an amount of considerably important business to see to this season but the annual round of farewells that is a part of life at all clubs begins tonight with Leinster’s visit to Ravenhill.

Brian McLauhglin has today emphasised his continued commitment to Ulster Rugby following yesterday’s announcement that he is to step down as Head Coach at the end of the season to take up a senior coaching position with the Ulster Academy.

EVER since David Humphries decided to wind down his first-class career, Irish rugby has lived in mortal fear of the consequences if the unthinkable ever happened and Ronan O’Gara came a cropper.

I WOULD like to apologise to readers for my seriously inaccurate column that appeared on this page on the first Friday of September.

ONE HUNDRED and twenty eight years after the first ball was kicked in anger, the curtain finally came down on international action at the world’s oldest rugby arena yesterday.

Ireland’s series defeat should not hide the fact they have had a brilliant, if gruelling, international season.

WHEN it comes to the Heineken Cup, Munster specialise in doing things the hard way.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, with one eye on a World Cup quarter-final, will take no selection risks heading into Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated pool game against Australia.

Ireland will be out to justify their lofty standing in world rugby next month as they head for the World Cup in third place in the latest International Rugby Board rankings.

WITH the hurling and football championships now reaching their conclusive stage and the rugby season upon us, thoughts of the forthcoming World Cup are exercising the minds of the sporting public.

A man accused of the murder of his navy comrade sat with his face in his hands staring at the deck when the captain of the LE Eithne informed the entire crew that a young sailor had drowned in the River Liffey.

The body of a climber missing in the French Alps has been found.

Connacht 17 Ulster 18

Ireland coach Warren Gatland has recalled Munster captain Mick Galwey after making wholesale changes for Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash with Wales in Cardiff.

Munster, Leinster and Ulster have all won their opening games in the inaugural Celtic League.

Dungannon are the AIB League champions for 2001 following a 46-12 victory over last year's champions Cork Con at Lansdowne Road.

The final of the AIB All Ireland League Division 1 play-offs takes place today in Lansdowne Road between Dungannon and Cork Constitution.

Dungannon emerged victorious from today’s second Semi-final in the play-offs of the AIB AIL Division 1 and will face Cork Constitution in the final.

Old Crescent 27-34 Dungannon

Bryn Cunningham got the first try of the game in the 23rd min for Dungannon.

The Irish Team, which will play Italy in the Lloyds TSB 6 Nations Championship in Flaminio Stadium, Rome on Saturday has been named and comes with few surprises.