Galway 0-21 Dublin 0-19 (after extra time): On many levels Galway required this win. There was last week’s senior disappointment, last week’s minor disappointment and the disappointment suffered at this very juncture for the last four Augusts.

Ger Cunningham wouldn’t mind having more of his panel available to him against Wexford on Saturday but he agrees it feels more like his team this year.

Na Piarsaigh duo Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling proved their worth to Limerick with 1-8 between them as the Shannonsiders secured a first Allianz hurling league semi-final place in a decade.

Ireland is set be plunged into an Arctic freeze from mid-December, as forecasters predict “the coldest and snowiest spell in some years”.

Kilkenny 4-12 Dublin 2-16: Kilkenny advanced to the semi-finals of the Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship after defeating Dublin by 4-12 to 2-16 at Parnell Park last night.

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

Last year you gave us the benefit of Mr Ken Ring’s dire outlook for the coming winter — lots of snow, temperatures plummeting to 10 degrees etc — none of which materialised.

Ireland is set for its coldest winter in years, with sub-zero temperatures, polar gales and heavy snowfall predicted to plunge the country into an Arctic freeze within weeks.

Ireland is set for a final burst of glorious prolonged sunshine, with weather experts predicting that the rain and drizzle will give way this weekend to a two-week Indian summer.

About 140 dogs have been saved in the largest canine rescue in Irish history, according to the ISPCA.

Nightclub operator John Reynolds, who is the nephew of the former taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, has been forced to hand over almost €500,000 as part of an investigation into tax defaulters.

Impresario John Reynolds’ nightclub business has been forced to hand over almost half a million euro as part of an investigation into tax defaulters.

ALREADY, “experts” have been warning us of equally severe weather to come this winter.

A big freeze could be on its way as early as next month, according to one long-range forecaster.

IRELAND is being warned to brace itself for yet another harsh winter.

A former civil servant who downloaded child pornographic images described as "amongst the worst that have ever come before the courts" has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

A pensioner with "a long-standing entrenched sexual interest in children" dating back over 40 years has been sentenced to two years in prison for possession of child pornography.

A pensioner with "a long-standing entrenched sexual interest in children" dating back over 40 years has had his sentence for possession of child pornography further adjourned to allow Judge Katherine Delahunt consider updated reports.

The sentencing of a former civil servant who downloaded child pornographic images has been adjourned to allow him apply for Health Service Executive funding for psychotherapy treatment at The Granada Institute.

A former civil servant who downloaded child pornographic images described as "amongst the worst that have ever come before the courts" will be jailed unless he begins attending the Granada Institute.

A former AIB executive, youth soccer coach and scout leader who filmed young boys in sexual poses has been jailed for two and a half years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

THE country’s first health park — a US-style hospital featuring a nursing home and sports injury clinic — is to be built in Carlow at a cost of €100m.