Is there a lesson to be gained for Irish rally organisers from Sunday’s Midleton based Imokilly Rally? 

The Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to share the road with bicycle users, as the number of cyclists killed on Irish roads so far in 2017 is now more than twice what it was this time last year.

Here's your morning news bulletin.

Having opened a €3m Avoca store in Dunboyne, Co Meath, just this week, a Cork Avoca is next in line for the expansionist, upmarket Irish food and household product company.

Paul Fitzpatrick remembers Ryan McBride, Derry City FC footballer and captain and an iconic figure among the Brandywell supporters.

University Hospital Limerick’s chronic overcrowding and University Hospital Waterford’s lack of cardiac care services will be the focus of major protests this weekend.

Cavan’s Jonathan Pringle (Ford Escort) and co-driver James Fulton took a controlled victory on the Midleton-based Imokilly Rally, round four of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship.

There is a noticeable decline in the level of entries for most Irish rallies with some organising clubs struggling to run their events without incurring losses. Some events are down 30 to 40 entries compared to previous seasons with scarcely any club having maximum entries as was the case in former years.

Welsh driver Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) and his Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty took a start to finish victory in the Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Rally.

The wait is nearly over and as Ireland’s World Cup campaign begins this afternoon, the green hordes spread from Bristol and across the Severn River will gather in Cardiff hoping for a win against Canada. For some, it’s been a journey more than a year in the making.

Almost three-quarters of employers are considering increasing staff salaries this year, a survey has revealed.

Some 73% of companies polled in a recent survey say they intend to hire permanent staff this year.

Down remain the team to beat in Allianz Hurling League Division 2B after defeating Wicklow at Ballycran yesterday.

Donal O’Brien – CEO Aramark

The consultancy firm Aramark Ireland is creating 25 jobs in its energy management division over the next 12-18 months to meet growing demand in the “green business” sector.

Paul D’Alton has done something he hadn’t done for 20 years — returned to Sunday Mass. And he reckons he wasn’t the only ‘prodigal son’ there

Kerry’s young guns held on to record their second league win, 1-12 to 3-5, in a nail-biting Allianz HL Division 2A clash with Wicklow at Austin Stack Park on Saturday.

A 16-year-old Co Cork boy who died suddenly while playing a schools’ match has been described as a “an extraordinarily skilled sportsman” by his principal.

London boss Eamonn Phelan says competition for starting places is hotting up after they demolished Mayo by 15 points.

Armagh convincingly saw off the challenge of Mayo in this National Hurling League 2B encounter in Crossmaglen on Sunday.

IT hasn’t been an especially long journey for Kilmichael, but that is what makes it all the more remarkable.

SEPTEMBER 3rd 1961, All-Ireland hurling final and with time running out Dublin have Tipperary on the rack, stretching them all over Croke Park.

EA SPORTS Cup holders Sligo Rovers have been drawn against non-league surprise packets Cockhill Celtic in the Second Round of the competition.

Tipperary ace Eoin Kelly will grace the Annaverna Mountain for the first time since 2006 this Saturday, as the 2010 M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada competition plays out at the Louth venue.

ON a night when Johnny Murtagh took another giant step towards regaining the Jockeys Championship, Joanna Morgan saddled Fourpenny Lane and San Sicharia to dominate the listed Cooley Fillies Stakes at Dundalk.

PROFITS before tax at John Paul Construction, one of the country’s largest building firms, plunged 64% to €3.1 million last year.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has signed a memo of understanding with China with regard to the export of bovine semen from Ireland.

NEPTUNE will parade their new American signing for the first time when they travel to Belfast tomorrow to play Star in the Nivea for Men’s SuperLeague.

The Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague resumes this weekend with in-from UCC Demons making the trip to the capital to face DCU Saints, while DART Killester host Limerick Lions hoping to maintain their fine start to the season.

THE Limerick farmer who has been staging a hunger strike to protest at non-payment of Rural Environmental Protection Scheme cheques gave up his protest yesterday after a health scare.

MEMBERS of the Irish Farmers’ Association protested in Limerick and Dublin over the weekend on two separate issues, a freeze on Rural Environment Protection Scheme payments and low-cost selling by supermarkets.

QUMAS, a provider of governance, risk and compliance solutions, has named Donal O’Brien as vice-president of development and support and Joanne Morrissey as vice-president of quality. Both will work out of QUMAS’ headquarters in Cork.

A CORK-BORN priest died in Augusta, Georgia, in the US after a car accident.

Walker Cup hopefuls Simon Ward and Jonathan Caldwell will lead the chase for the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Co Louth on Saturday.

Five protestors who breached a High Court order by blocking work on a new water supply in Co Limerick could be sent to jail tomorrow if they do not give an undertaking to end their protest.

Odd couple Rory McIlroy and Adrian Morrow survived the carnage to lead after the first qualifying round of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

Holywood's Rory McIlroy and Portmarnock veteran Adrian Morrow share the clubhouse lead in the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

PIPE laying on a water scheme was blocked again yesterday near a west Limerick village when residents sat down in front of digging machines.

A SENIOR, Tralee-based garda officer yesterday called on parents to take responsibility for their children.

A SENIOR, Tralee-based garda officer yesterday called on parents to take responsibility for their children.