Manchester United reached the last 32 of the Europa League in convincing fashion last night, a competition which is taking on increasing importance for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in what has been a this frustrating ly average campaign.

Man United 1 Rochdale 1- Man United win 5-3 on penalties

Of all the potential impacts of VAR on the Premier League, one surprise knock-on effect could be witnessed at Stamford Bridge yesterday, and twice at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s United’s worst start for 27 years!” shrieked one UK tabloid yesterday. “Blimey, that sounds horrific,” I briefly muttered to myself, before remembering what season they were referring to: 1992/93.

It's back!

A survivor of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, England, has described her shock at being turned down for full compensation for what she suffered because authorities deemed she had consented to the abuse.

Pippa Greenwood of Gardener’s Question Time, gets the plot plant-ready.

Ronan O’Gara looks forward to a European Cup semi-final weekend. At the home of Nottingham Forest and Brian Clough.

The best-performing US stocks right now are ones that usually do well when the economy isn’t, makers of everything from household cleaning products to food. It’s yet another black cloud for investors fretting over a growth slowdown.

Only a small fraction of more than 1,400 victims who were sexually exploited as children in Rotherham over a 16-year period have come forward for help, according to a lawyer representing survivors.

Galway native Niamh Fahey made a little bit of history on Saturday as the defender became the first Irish woman to win the FA Cup at Wembley after Chelsea Ladies beat Notts County 1-0.

My memory of a lot of things from my career wouldn’t be perfect, but Ireland v England at Croke Park in 2007 is as clear as it gets.

Joe Schmidt is "one of the best coaches in the Test arena" and could lead the Lions in 2017, according to Will Greenwood — who has backed Ireland to win the World Cup.

Scottish Grand National-winning jockey Richie McGrath, together with former trainer Kate Walton, has been charged with passing on inside information.

The Irish banks probably have enough capital not to fail the ECB stress tests, but they do not have sufficient levels to start functioning normally, according to Standard & Poor’s Nigel Greenwood.

A hugely encouraging final practice run has skeleton racer Seán Greenwood in confident mood ahead of his Olympic debut tomorrow.

Skeleton racer Seán Greenwood admits his mother finds it difficult to watch him compete.

In February 2010, Seán Greenwood took a volunteering job at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The decision by City of Culture chief Patricia Ryan to resign from the project has been welcomed by many in the artistic and cultural community in Limerick.

LIFE is tough for songbirds just now.

Cliff Robertson, PT 109, 1963.

ARE you single, over 30 and looking for a loving longterm relationship? According to the latest research, the secret is not to sleep with your partner on the first date. Instead, if you wait, the chances of fulfilling your dreams and finding ‘the one’ will increase.

Big Buck’s remains out on his own, so far ahead of his stayers’ hurdling opponents it is highly unlikely he will ever be beaten.

SUNDERLAND’S promising Irish defender John Egan has joined Championship side Crystal Palace on loan.

DEBS ball celebrations turned into a nightmare for a young man who was chased along a city centre quay by three attackers who kicked him on the ground while one of them stabbed him three times in the head.

Will Greenwood has backed England’s under-pressure centres to answer their critics at the Rugby World Cup.

WILL GREENWOOD yesterday questioned the balance of England’s midfield as Michael Lynagh called for Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood to play 10 and 12 at the World Cup.

CORK-based, Berkley Recruitment has been sold in a €6.8 million deal.

HARPIST Jean Kelly is no stranger to royalty.

Will Greenwood believes the British and Irish Lions will travel to South Africa with "six or seven World XV players".

TEENAGE soccer starlet, John Egan, has been snapped up by Sunderland.

WILL GREENWOOD believes Ireland Grand Slam captain Brian O’Driscoll should lead the Lions in South Africa this summer.

Three-time British & Irish Lions Will Greenwood believes Brian O'Driscoll should shade Paul O'Connell in the competition to caption The Lions on the summer tour to South Africa.

LADBROKES World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s has earned a higher rating than three-time winner Inglis Drever thanks to his performance at Cheltenham last week.

Police began to sift through the financial assets of John and Anne Darwin today to recover the money the couple defrauded in their £250,000 (€317,976) canoe death scam.

WILL GREENWOOD believes the smart money is on the Ospreys to win the Heineken Cup – and he wasted no time in hunting down the nearest bookies after the quarter-final draw was made.

POLICE were last night awaiting the return of the wife of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin as they continued to question him over his disappearance five-and-a-half years ago.

Police are tonight awaiting the return of the wife of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin as they continued to question him over his disappearance five-and-a-half years ago.

EDDIE JONES claims Jonny Wilkinson is not the player he was in 2003 – but the former Australia coach knows the England star is still capable of again booting his country to World Cup glory.

British rockers Radiohead have shocked fans by announcing plans to release their long-awaited seventh album through their website.

CREDIT ratings agency Standard & Poor’s does not expect Irish banks to be affected by the liquidity problems that have crushed Northern Rock.

STEVE McCLAREN must have wondered if he had wandered in to an episode of ‘Life on Mars’.

THE man at the centre of a suspected illegal dumping probe in Cork has applied for a waste collection permit.