For all the travails of last weekend’s calamitous defeat by Japan, Joe Schmidt’s belief in his players and their potential to deliver the best World Cup return in Ireland’s rugby history remains steadfast.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Garry Ringrose’s place in the Ireland starting XV is in doubt.

Joe Schmidt on ...

Ireland’s deep backline resources for the forthcoming World Cup campaign have been underlined by the quality of the players Joe Schmidt has decided to leave at home.

Joe Schmidt gave an upbeat assessment on Joey Carbery’s injured ankle following the Ireland fly-half’s worrying withdrawal from the victory over Italy on a medical cart.

THEY met on a night out in Killarney and Anne (known to all by her nickname Peig) O’Sullivan and Jason Mangan got engaged in Malaga.

A hemp growing experiment on a farm overlooking Tralee Bay in Kerry 56 years ago is now being recalled as a result of a growing focus on the suitability of the crop as an alternative agricultural enterprise.

Birmingham have parted company with manager Garry Monk, the club have announced.

Kya deLongchamps gives a glimpse of domestic life in and around an Irish castle.

Kerry and Cork will contest the Munster MFC decider on June 22 after Clare failed to spring the necessary upset in Tralee yesterday evening.

The frustration Leinster players and coaches felt after last weekend was absolute. That stuff is hard to internalise. You can’t have enough of those stars on your shirt.

Under pressure Cork City boss John Caulfield has launched a passionate defence of his management going into the most important weekend of his tenure as he bids to save the club’s season.

The consensus is that Leinster have not been the same ruthlessly efficient machine in Europe this season as last.

€5m has been spent on this Cork harbour castle rescue by Garry and Anne Wilson, writes Tommy Barker.

As first-half performances go, Ireland’s 40-minute demolition of France in Dublin on Sunday was among the best Joe Schmidt had seen in his six seasons as a Six Nations head coach.

Hibernian have confirmed the permanent exit of manager Neil Lennon by "mutual consent".

Joe Schmidt has warned Chicago hat-trick hero Jordan Larmour he faces a big step up in challenge when he starts at full-back for Ireland against Argentina on Saturday.

Cork City have made another addition to their squad for the 2019 season today.

While the years of arduous training has given the O’Donovan brothers the edge to overcome mental challenges, they stress that they always try to inject a bit of fun into everything they do.

LoyLap is looking to enter the US market with its cashless payment systems, writes Trish Dromey

They may constitute Leinster’s old brigade but Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy are not finished yet, at least not if you listen to their ambitions for greater success.

Joe Schmidt put the band back together yesterday and reminded his Grand Slam winners they were the rock stars in this Test series with Australia, not the support act, writes Simon Lewis in Melbourne.

This large family home has some stunning features that lift it out of the ordinary, writes Tommy Barker

As far as preparation goes for your biggest game in a decade, a 50-point hammering is not ideal.

“You do get snow in March but you don’t get it often.”

"Sometimes you don't have the luxury of a plethora of options."

The chances of Sean O’Brien featuring in the run-in to Ireland’s Six Nations campaign are veering towards slim.

Today seemed to be tailor-made for Joey Carbery.

Joe Schmidt has praised Chris Farrell’s all-round game and form in confirming the Munster centre is at the head of the queue to replace Robbie Henshaw in Ireland’s midfield to face Wales in Dublin on February 24.

Garry Ringrose’s potential return to action after six months on the sidelines may be music to the ears of the Ireland team management but in the wake of Robbie Henshaw’s shoulder injury, the Six Nations leaders have a serious experience deficit to make up before Wales visit in Dublin.

Benetton 10 Leinster 36: Leinster had to wait eight months to see James Lowe touch down on Irish soil after the province announced him as their marquee signing for the season.

A high-flying executive in one of the world’s largest companies touched down in his home town yesterday to donate €50,000 to a school, putting it on track to become the fittest school in Ireland.

Jamie Heaslip returned to training yesterday, pulling on the boots for the first time since the back injury that ended his season in March.

Cork City assistant manager John Cotter believes the victory over Finn Harps was crucial in setting the tone for the club’s amazing unbeaten run.

Sharon Shannon was gigging seven nights a week in Doolin when she was still only a teenager.

Garrett Lombard and Druid’s other young guns were eager to put their spin on Beckett’s classic, writes Alan O’Riordan

Tipperary 0-14 Clare 0-10: Tipperary survived a determined Clare rally in the closing 20 minutes of the inaugural Munster U17 football quarter-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles, last evening to clinch a semi-final clash with Kerry next month.

Elite sport holds no respect for age.

PBC ... 11, Glenstal ... 3: Presentation Brothers joined their Cork neighbours at the top of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup honours list when they enjoyed a fully deserved 11-3 victory over Glenstal in a Thomond Park final spoiled by incessant, torrential rain.

Glenstal Abbey 21  Ardscoil Rís 20 Munster Schools Senior Cup, Thomond Park: Amid tremendous excitement and high drama at Thomond Park yesterday, Glenstal Abbey bridged a 47-year gap when they just survived a magnificent rally by Ardscoil Rís to qualify to meet PBC in the final of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup on St Patrick’s Day.