Rory Best refused to criticise referee Romain Poite after the British and Irish Lions were held to a 31-31 draw by the Hurricanes in Wellington.

It hasn’t been easy ride for Ulster’s Director of Rugby Les Kiss since he took over office halfway through last season.

Garry Ringrose won’t need the benefit of any DVD to remember just how punishing Saturday’s bruiser was.

Tadhg Furlong has plenty to celebrate in his own right after being a first start for Ireland but he is also backing Test debutant Quinn Roux to shine in tomorrow’s second Test against South Africa.

Former Irish international Conor O’Shea fears that a huge injury toll will derail Ireland’s bid for World Cup glory.

A force of nature and a rising forward star with the speed of a wing. The praise heading Iain Henderson’s way is plentiful as he prepares to make his World Cup debut in Ireland’s second row alongside captain Paul O’Connell.

As a loyal Kildare servant, Damien Hendy has become accustomed to criticism.

Tommy Bowe last night spoke of Ulster’s huge relief at having in-form forward Iain Henderson free to play again this weekend.

Ulster’s decision to appeal Iain Henderson’s sending off at Ravenhill on Saturday would be understandable to Munster head coach Anthony Foley who described the punishment issued by referee Nigel Owens as “an unfortunate circumstance”.

Ireland lock Dan Tuohy is keen to make up for lost time.

Game day, 8am.

Kieran McGeeney aims to build on what he believes was on one of Kildare’s best seasons since he took charge in 2008.

Jason Ryan has admitted he missed being involved at inter-county level and his new role as coach/selector with Kildare is a perfect fit because it will not place the demands on his time that being manager of Wexford did.

Kieran McGeeney's sixth season in charge of the Kildare senior football team was confirmed at a County Board meeting last night.

Conor Counihan is to be invited to remain on as manager of the Cork senior football team, should he so wish.

In a close finish to the Modern Tyres Mourne Rally, round five of the Carryduff Forklifts Northern Ireland Rally Championship, Drew Stewart (Ford Escort) took a 12-second victory over the Mitsubishi of Andrew Stewart.

Three senior judges in the UK ruled today that some journalists can remain anonymous when giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

FORMER long-serving Kildare footballer Damien Hendy has been handed the reins of the county’s U21 footballers, with his predecessor Alan Barry dropping to the role of selector.

NFL DIVISION 2:

THE three-week sabbatical had startlingly different effects on these two sides, with Kildare looking much like their old selves and Donegal but a pale shadow of the team that steamrolled Laois last time out.

Kildare 1-17 Donegal 1-9

British boy band East 17 have announced their split - just months after reforming for a comeback London gig and album.

Millions will fall silent today for two minutes to mark the first anniversary of the July 7 London bombings.

CLARE have made just one change from the side that lost to Cork in last season’s Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final for Sunday’s Muster duel with their conquerors of nine months ago at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Top-scoring forward and captain John Doyle is back in training with Kildare ahead of Sunday week's Leinster SFC quarter-final with Offaly.

Kildare 1-17 Wicklow 2-12

Wicklow 2-12 Kildare 1-17

The National Union of Journalists in Britain today lost its High Court battle for recognition at Mirror Group Newspapers’ various sports division titles, including the Racing Post.

CONTROVERSIAL trade unionist Mick O’Reilly has won back his post as leader of the country’s second biggest trade union.

Kildare have been dealt an injury blow for Sunday's Leinster SFC clash with Wexford in Croke Park.

Kildare have left three vacancies - one defence and two in attack - for Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division 2B clash with Louth in Newbridge.

KILDARE’S footballers won some encouragement from an old friend last night on the eve of their do-or-die All-Ireland football qualifier with Roscommon.

Laois 1-14 Kildare 1-9