Irish credit unions have lent €1.1bn to their members in the last 12 months, delegates of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) heard over the weekend.

Sky Sports attempted to inject a little Hollywood glamour into proceedings at the Etihad yesterday, parading Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall in front of the cameras before kick-off.

The country’s main umbrella body for credit unions has reported a €130m increase in combined surplus for its 387 members in the Republic for the nine months to the end of June.

Neil Lennon was involved in a “bizarre” press conference ahead of Celtic’s Champions League Group G clash with Spartak Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium today.

Neil Lennon was involved in what he described as a “bizarre” press conference ahead of Celtic’s Champions League Group G clash with Spartak Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium tomorrow night.

Delegates at the AGM of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) gave a generally positive reaction to the report of the Commission on Credit Unions, with the proviso that the movement should continue to be able to help poorer people.

CREDIT union leaders have roundly welcomed the Government-appointed co-mmission’s sweeping recommendations, admitting that greater regulation is essential to their future.

TWO jewel-encrusted Faberge eggs created as tributes to Celtic hero Jimmy Johnstone and Manchester United’s George Best have sold for less than estimated.

Celtic are to erect a statue in memory of their legendary boss Jock Stein, the club have announced.

THE board of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has imposed a news blackout on details of which of its members will attend a world credit union conference in Barcelona next week.

Gordon Strachan has given Shunsuke Nakamura his blessing to quit Celtic at the end of the season - but wants a Japanese holiday in return.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is set to use Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Villarreal as an opportunity to reintroduce players struggling for form and fitness.

AFTER Saturday night’s victory over Pakistan, it’s surely only a matter of time before Ireland’s cricketers are accommodated in Croke Park.

Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has backed Gordon Strachan to become the first Hoops manager to lead the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Celtic and Liverpool legends are to meet in a charity match at Parkhead on October 4.

Stevie Chalmers believes nobody would have appreciated Celtic’s championship success more than fellow Lisbon Lion Jimmy Johnstone.

Celtic 2 Inverness 1

Celtic captain Neil Lennon has expressed his “disgust” at accusations made against him by Dunfermline defender Greg Shields after the CIS Cup final at Hampden Park.

Celtic star Roy Keane has reiterated his threat to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

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RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has been assured he remains part of Manchester United’s long-term plans.

THE story is told about the two Scottish footballers who are condemned to death.

THOUSANDS of fans joined former players, rock star Rod Stewart and politicians to say their final farewell to Celtic and Scotland legend Jimmy Johnstone.

Football legends, celebrities and politicians today stood shoulder to shoulder with ordinary fans at the funeral of former Celtic and Scotland star Jimmy Johnstone.

CELTIC legends and supporters will join together to bid farewell to Jimmy Johnstone today.

STILIAN PETROV claims the performance of every Celtic player would drop 10% if Roy Keane was to hang up his boots.

THE NUMBER seven will be proudly displayed by Celtic players at the CIS Cup final on Sunday in tribute to the late Jimmy Johnstone.

Celtic first-team coach Tommy Burns believes the late Jimmy Johnstone enjoyed the same iconic status as George Best.

Martin O’Neill believes the memory of winger Jimmy Johnstone will “live forever” at Celtic.

CELTIC captain Neil Lennon has recalled how a trip to see Jimmy Johnstone on film proved just how good the winger was in his prime.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists the legend of Jimmy Johnstone will live on forever in the memory of the club’s fans.

Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell paid tribute to former team-mate Jimmy Johnstone who died at 61 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

The son of a butcher and brother of a professional footballer was tonight elected as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Kenny Dalglish hailed Martin O’Neill as “a magnificent servant” to Celtic after the Irishman confirmed he would bring his five-year spell at the club to an end after Saturday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup final.

CLINTON MORRISON has revealed Brian Kerr's faith and Roy Keane's rollickings are the reasons behind his remarkable run of form for the Republic of Ireland.

THE scientist who created Dolly the Sheep was yesterday granted a licence to clone human embryos in an attempt to find a cure for motor neurone disease.

JUNINHO, who was handed the Swede’s number seven shirt by Celtic yesterday, will focus on making goals with the same consistency as Henrik Larsson scored them.

Football stars from the past and present today united to pay their final respects to goalkeeping legend Ronnie Simpson.

CELTIC striker John Hartson will have Old Firm history in his sights when he faces Rangers on Saturday.

Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso was honoured by his fellow professionals last night when he was handed the Scottish Professional Football Association’s Player of the Year award.