Kinsale’s John Murphy will be hoping for some help from the leaders as he goes into the final round six shots off the lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at County Louth.

Defending champion Paul O’Hanlon fell victim to Baltray’s bunkers as he let a sensational start slip away and opened with a one-under 71 in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at County Louth.

Leo Varadkar’s supporters are defying overtures from Simon Coveney’s camp to change their position with one TD declaring he would not “commit political suicide” and reverse his stance.

Conor O’Rourke, Naas, put a stuttering start to the season behind him by scorching to a stunning five under par 66 to grab a two-stroke lead after the first qualifying round of the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Sligo.

Shakespeare may say that the apparel oft proclaims the man, but plenty of shame has been brought on our parliament and our country by people ‘appropriately’ dressed for the Dáil, writes Clodagh Finn.

Enda Kenny’s new Cabinet has received mixed reaction with praise after he appointed more women to government, but also questions about the role he gave certain ministers.

More than 800 young innovators from across Europe will take part in the fifth annual CoderDojo Coolest Projects Awards at the RDS on Saturday, when more than 10,000 spectators are expected to take in demonstrations of the apps, websites, animation, games, and robots among this year’s submissions.

Sailing

No one earning less than €30,000 a year should have to pay the Universal Social Charge, People Before Profit has insisted in its pre-budget proposals.

The Government has raised the tax ceiling on profits from all future oil and gas finds in Irish waters, but will not apply the rate hike retrospectively to licences already granted.

Cllr Tom Doherty, Killarney, raises an important point in relation to “head” shops.

An independent TD has been told to take his financial advice from Time Magazine rather than Playboy.

Carlow’s Finn Lynch delivered the best Irish result in the competition’s 41 years when he won silver at the Four Star Pizza ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Dublin Bay yesterday.

LAST Sunday at Crosshaven more than 70 boats participated in the Autumn Series, Whitesail 1 and Whitesail 2 together with Classes 3 and 4 raced in the harbour.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor, is throwing her support behind Pat Cox for the Fine Gael presidential nomination.

NORTHERN group Two Door Cinema Club were last night named winner of the Choice Music Prize for best Irish album of the year for Tourist History.

A CHANGE of pace saw standings across the 13 classes tighten into two distinct groups: the outright battles for first place in some, and clear favourites in others. Light winds are again expected today while there will be possible near-gale conditions tomorrow.

Hundreds of highly-skilled Pfizer workers made their way home in shock tonight after learning they could soon be joining the dole queue.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

Four Irish companies will compete internationally at the Thistle BioScience “Rising Stars Showcase”in Edinburgh on Wednesday, February 6.

THE HSE has flatly denied Fine Gael claims that the country’s speech and language therapy service is in “tatters” with waiting lists reaching a “dangerous high”.

An unknown writer was today plucked from obscurity over well-known figures from the world of film and television as the winner of a national drama award.

GARDAÍ have interviewed almost 8,000 people and taken more than 3,000 statements but have still not been able to identify the killer of Dublin teenager Raonaid Murray.

Despite the heavy rain, three players, Quentin Carew (Edenderry), Iarlaith Keane (Malahide) and Steffan O’Hara (Co. Sligo) share the lead on one over par 72 following the first round of the inaugural Irish Boys Under 15 Open 36 holes at Balbriggan Golf Club.

Chile's Hugo Leon carded a brilliant five-under-par 67 to grab the clubhouse lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray.

The race to succeed Ruairí Quinn as Labour leader begins next week following Quinn’s announcement today that he intends to step down in October.