The pied piper of Neptune is back. He’s recruited and coached against NBA talent, scouted Steph Curry and watched more game film and planned more sessions than just about any coach involved in Irish sport. Now, after three decades in the all-consuming ‘rabbit hole’ that’s NCAA basketball, Pete Strickland is back where his coaching career began, in Ireland, masterminding the revived national senior team programme.

The idea for Vanessa Ronan’s debut came from a news report about a man from a small town who, having committed a horrible crime and shown no remorse, was going back, writes Sue Leonard.

Reviewing some of the best books for children available this week.

Pipe-loving Padraic Sirr likes nothing better than sharing a puff with his playful pup.

This is the lovely moment a man and his cherished dog are reunited after six months separation.

The eve of another cup final weekend and with it a sense of history about it for those of us steeped in Irish hoops, writes Kieran Shannon.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to tonight's TV.

The Girl Who Walked on Air

Holland coach Guus Hiddink let rip at his players following their last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

THE hottest restaurant ticket this summer wasn’t in Dublin, Cork or even Galway. 

Captain Robin van Persie may miss the Netherlands’ World Cup semi-final against Argentina tonight as he is struggling with an upset stomach.

The Great Irish Bake Off is back, and a week of coverage from Chelsea will have gardeners drooling

Ryle Dwyer looks at a frenzy of violence against British forces at the height of the War of Independence in Kerry, and reveals the grisly fate of two Black and Tans who went missing

The concluding chapter of the outlandish fang-tasy series based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling books delivers a masterclass in constructing CGI mountains out of molehills.

A historic pharmacy that served passengers on board the great ocean liners which called to Cobh in Co Cork at the turn of the 20th century has stepped back in time to commemorate the sinking of Titanic.

Donald McCain's Absinthe had no trouble justifying cramped odds in the Wetherby Racecourse Showground For Outdoor Events Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Hurdle this afternoon.

All these years later and so much about them remains the same.

Buyers from the UK and from Donegal to Waterford were bidding for the many five star bulls on offer at Tullamore in the Hereford Society’s Premier Bull Sale.

Gerard Butler reportedly hooked up with Australian model Nicole Trunfio in New York on Wednesday.

A parrot has embarrassed his British zoo keepers by swearing at visitors.

GRAEME MCDOWELL understands why Rory McIlroy quit the US Tour while Pádraig Harrington is anxious to discuss the decision with the Ulster star.

THEY say you can take a white horse anywhere, but it seems Midleton horse trainer Dan Rohan can take his bay mare anywhere and win.

AS A gambling novice, after a day on a high stool in a city centre pub in Cork, ‘studying’ the form like a monkey with an abacus, I ended the day’s racing yesterday with a recession-busting total of €15.36.

Dominic Elsworth's late dash to Doncaster after Cheltenham was abandoned paid handsome dividends when he grabbed a 24-1 double on Laskari and Victorias Groom.

ARTHRITIS affects more than 1,000 children in Ireland, and the incidence of juvenile arthritis (JA) is as common as childhood diabetes.

Minaad, four times a winner on the Flat in Germany, made it two out of two over hurdles when justifying 8-11 favouritism under Josh Byrne in the AJ Glassfibre Novices’ Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Hollywood star Don Johnson and his wife Kelley had double reason for celebration on Saturday, after their third child was born on the same day as their seventh wedding anniversary.

Don Johnson, star of Miami Vice and Nash Bridges, and his wife Kelley celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary with the birth of their third child, a spokesman announced today.

Jockeys at Southwell felt the wrath of the stewards yesterday as five bans were handed out.