Kate Sadleir was weighed down with boxes and brochures when she finished her business at the Irish Georgian Society on Dublin’s South William Street last Tuesday.

Gareth Thomas had to stop and gather himself more than once today. His voice faltered. It choked with emotion. Who knows how many times his nerves were betrayed by an subconscious impulse to tug at his right ear?

More needs to be done to make sport more inclusive for minorities, the economically disadvantaged, and people with disabilities, according to the chief executive of the organisation that represents Ireland’s sporting governing bodies.

Since its rebranding as the Champions Cup, the big beasts have thundered down an all too predictable road, relentless in their crushing of lighter opposition, writes Peter Jackson.

Author Matthew Todd and members of Irish support agencies talk to Sharon Ní Chonchúir about the need for ongoing progress.

George North returns to rugby’s international stage tomorrow afternoon with Wales coach Warren Gatland underlining that player welfare will always be paramount.

“In that last 10 or 15 minutes we had some very, very tired players and sometimes you need something to just prop you up a bit and keep you going.”

Sunday night telly tips for a night on the couch.

57 channels and nothin’ on. Unfair on the authors but that’s how it feels when you’re promised two autobiographies from current Everton footballers in the same week. On top of all the others.

Swimming champion Ian Thorpe has thanked supporters, after he announced he is gay.

Hands up, I’ve been labelling Thomas Hitzlsperger for years.

Thomas Hitzlsperger’s announcement he is gay has been described as “an important sign of our time” by Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski.

Former Aston Villa, West Ham and Germany international midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has announced he is gay in a bid to break the taboo of homosexuality in sport.

Former Wales rugby union international Gareth Thomas has backed Tom Daley’s decision to come out and believes the 19-year-old can inspire a new generation of athletes to be open and honest about their sexuality.

Stuart Barnes (Former Lion and Sky Sports analyst)

Rugby issues are often black or white with the former teacher.

It looks like Wales rugby union international Andy Powell is to switch codes to join rugby league giants Wigan.

'Dancing On Ice' star Anthea Turner is recovering after hurting a rib during training for the ITV show.

This week's pick of what's on the box.

Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has revealed she is willing to dust off her famous red swimsuit to win votes on 'Dancing On Ice'.

Keith Chegwin is back in the rink in the new series of Dancing On Ice a year after he crashed out of the show when he fell and broke his ribs.

Shaun Edwards believes Warren Gatland’s absence has hit Wales hard as the head coach returns to take charge following demoralising defeats to Argentina and Samoa.

Craig Breen is on the verge of a second World Rally Championship title in two years as he heads to Spain this weekend for the Rally de Espana, the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The continued intensive hunt for the body of missing girl April Jones in Wales is still targeting more than 300 separate search locations, police have revealed.

Wales 30 Barbarians 21

Bravest coaching call, any sport?

Move over Kylie – Adele has been unveiled as a new gay “icon”.

Celebrity Big Brother is returning to television for the second time this year, it was reported today.

Denise Welch is the winner of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ 2012.

Nicola McLean and Romeo were evicted from 'Celebrity Big Brother' yesterday evening.

Georgia Salpa has become the third person to be evicted from 'Celebrity Big Brother'.

He has been in the Big Brother House less than a week and 'X Factor' flop Frankie Cocozza has already bared his backside to the nation again.

Georgia Salpa is already facing eviction from 'Celebrity Big Brother' after less than a week in the house.

Top Irish model Georgia Salpa was among the latest batch of contestants to enter the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house as the show kicked off in Britain last night.

MODEL Georgia Salpa will reportedly earn €100,000 for her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

The actor appeared in the first Sylvester Stallone-directed film because he felt he owed him a favour, but although he was initially announced to be returning for the sequel, he claims it was never something he considered.

Wales dual-code international Gareth Thomas has announced his retirement from all forms of rugby with immediate effect.

Wales look set to be without three key players for their potential make-or-break World Cup clash against Fiji next week.

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate is battling around the clock to recover from injury and put himself back in World Cup contention.

Wales are set to reassess their injury situation after next Monday’s World Cup Pool D clash against Namibia in New Plymouth.

Gavin Henson will return to Test rugby on Saturday after an absence of more than two years when Wales play the Barbarians in Cardiff.

IT SEEMS difficult to imagine a Wales side without Shane Williams, yet after this year’s World Cup, the diminutive winger will depart the international scene, and we will all have to struggle on without the sight of him blistering down a touchline in that red number 11 jersey.

Wales star Martyn Williams was today facing up to the possible end of his illustrious international career.