The Katie Taylor machine rolls on to Waterford tonight after a unanimous victory over American Liz Leddy at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork last night.

ADVANCES in sheep and beef genomics, grassland management and environmental research are just a few of the likely gains from a partnership between Teagasc and UCD.

IRELAND’S only provider of a degree in agricultural science has just begun its 10th academic year without a professor in agricultural economics.

A priceless stained-glass window commemorating teenage IRA volunteer Kevin Barry has been given a new home at his alma mater.

There will be a number of players enjoying their first taste of the Ulster SFC when Derry and Fermanagh lock horns tomorrow.

Antrim secured a semi-final berth, while there were also wins for Tyrone, Down and Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup this afternoon.

MORE than €7 million in state funding is to be withheld from universities due to “unlawful” payments to senior academics.

UNIVERSITY chiefs have been crying from the rooftops for the past two years about the severe under funding of their colleges and the effects it is having on the quality of the education.

UNIVERSITIES could be forced to pay back up to €20 million in unauthorised allowances which were paid without Government approval to senior staff despite their calls for the reintroduction of fees for students.

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has hinted there will be no increases in third-level college budgets again next year despite claims our reputation is being damaged by lack of funds.

University heads warned of the effect of education cuts today after Ireland’s two leading universities, Trinity College and UCD, slipped down the world rankings.

A THIRD of all PAYE workers who earn over €100,000 per annum are employed in the public sector, according to figures supplied by the Revenue Commissioners.

Wicklow 0-17 Fermanagh 1-11

MOST of their players may be small in stature but Fermanagh proved yet again they are capable of big things with a dogged three-point win over Down in the preliminary round of the Ulster Football Championship yesterday.

ROSS CARR last night named his starting line-up for tomorrow’s Ulster SFC clash with Fermanagh in Enniskillen.

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has urged high-earning third-level academics and managers to take the pay cuts already being offered by senior civil servants after it emerged 50 university bosses were paid €10 million last year.

University chiefs were today accused of hypocrisy in banking massive salaries while students face the prospect of having to pay third-level fees.

Fermanagh 0-10 Armagh 0-11

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will give the Government’s backing today to a controversial research collaboration between two universities which has already created major divisions within the third-level sector.

GOVERNMENT funding for a research collaboration between the country’s two largest universities looks set to cause major divisions with other third-level colleges.

UNIVERSITY lecturers and professors have vowed to resist attempts to impose pay cuts or changes to conditions by individual universities to help meet curtailed budgets.

THE Irish researcher who discovered the cure for leprosy has been honoured to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.

THE Government is to drive ahead with delayed funding for third-level research as part of its economic recovery plan, although it is uncertain if the €450 million which had been expected will materialise.

JOBS freezes, larger class sizes, reduced library hours and cuts to student medical services are looming as a result of spending cuts ordered by the Government, university presidents have warned Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe.

DAVY FITZGERALD says he and his Waterford hurlers offered to go half-way to meet opponents Antrim in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier.

Two clergymen who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons will be honoured for their role in the key chapter of the peace process, it was announced today.

Fermanagh manager Malachy O'Rourke has plumped for Ronan Gallagher between the posts for the Ernesiders' Ulster SFC quarter-final clash with Monaghan (Enniskillen, throw-in 4pm).

Ireland's two leading universities are reportedly warning that a funding crisis is undermining the Government's claims to be establishing a top-class knowledge-driven economy.

The Vietnamese prime minister will today sign a tax pact with the Irish Government during a two-day official visit.

Plans were today unveiled for a dramatic new redevelopment of University College Dublin's main campus by an internationally renowned architect.

A DECISION to move the Jesuit College to a new site at University College Dublin will net the order more than €150 million.

OVER €40 million was yesterday designated for more than a dozen third-level projects, in the first tranche of monies allocated under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) for higher education.

THE Government was urged yesterday to commit itself to a massive increase in spending on education.

THE heads of the country’s universities are to come together next month to try and reach an agreement to prevent them poaching key staff from each other.

Armagh 0-16 Fermanagh 1-8

2004 All-Star Marty McGrath has missed out on a starting spot in the Fermanagh team to face Antrim in Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final (Brewster Park, Enniskillen, throw-in 3.30pm).

THE Government is expected to appoint the new secretary general of the Department of Health next Tuesday, following the cancellation of today’s Cabinet meeting in Cork.

Fermanagh’s run through the qualifiers to the All-Ireland semi-final last year has inspired many of its former stars to return from the wilderness.

Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew has made one change to the side that saw off Donegal for the quarter-final match against fellow northerners Armagh tomorrow at Croke Park.

Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew has reported no injuries ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland football quarter-final tie against Armagh at Croke Park.

Cork are overwhelming favourites against Fermanagh in today’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier clash at Croke Park.

Tyrone 1-13 Fermanagh 0-12

Fermanagh 1-12 Meath 0-9