The day started and ended with business studies for Junior Certificate students, and there was just a single exam for those who chose the ordinary level test.

On a day when the John Berry-trained Cootamundra proved a shock winner of the Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase, enthusiasts in Navan witnessed impressive victories by exciting novices and potential stars Apache Stronghold, Moyle Park and Ballycasey.

Carrigaline 3-15 Kinsale 0-07

Evanna McCutcheon has built up a tremendous rapport with her own horse Long Strand of late and the pair recorded their fifth success of the season in the open lightweight at the North Kerry Harriers point-to-point fixture outside Ballybunion on Saturday.

Bandon made a real statement of intent on Saturday night in Ballinaspittle, comfortably beating Carrigaline in the last eight of the Premier IHC before a huge attendance.

Joe Moran is to step down as chairman of financial services group IFG later this year, having held the role since the formation of the business in 1989.

A convincing second-half display ensured victory for Carrigaline in this local derby in the Cork Premier IHC at Páirc Uí Rinn last evening.

It was once the home of the rich and (in)famous.

THE legal action by developer David Daly and his family over the takeover of their €457 million loans by the National Assets Management Agency has settled, the Commercial Court was told yesterday.

Developer David Daly and his children have been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the demand by the National Assets Management Agency (Nama) for them to repay €457m they owe Allied Irish Bank.

THE takeover saga at IFG is likely to be largely concluded by early August, the financial services group’s management said yesterday.

Jack Keane is the new President of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland.

IFG has said its Irish pension and advisory business is performing well – in terms of profitability and client wins – and that its entire operations have enjoyed a good first half to the year.

ORGANISERS of the Junior and Leaving certificate exams being taken by more than 116,000 students from this morning are confident there will be no repeat of last year’s controversial rescheduling of a paper handed out by mistake.

SECOND-level students are at risk of lower quality education because teachers face waiting up to a decade to get permanent jobs after qualifying, a union has claimed.

The ASTI has said low availability of permanent teaching jobs means that the majority of newly qualified second-level teachers spend a number of years moving from job to job.

THERE were strong calls yesterday for new teachers to be given more hours, amid fears that those struggling for work could suffer mental health problems while retired teachers take substitute classes.

THE “smart economy” sought by Government is being seriously undermined by its own policies and education cutbacks.

Public sector unions were today urged to remain united and not fall victim to internal rancour and distrust over proposed public-sector pay and reform.

THE union representing more than 18,000 secondary schoolteachers is set to decide on Friday whether or not to reject the public service pay deal in a move which could lead to industrial action in schools.

The ASTI president has said the most disappointing aspect of the proposals for reform in the public sector is that they show "a total lack of respect and trust in teachers".

ANY cuts to teachers’ pay or further education cutbacks look almost certain to trigger industrial action by 15,000 members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), who are to be balloted for possible strikes.

MORE than 55,500 students getting their Junior Certificate results today have been urged to stay on at their studies – whether they are teenagers or have just returned to education.

MANAGEMENT at financial services group IFG said yesterday that they remained confident the business would meet previously stated full-year targets of between 18c and 20c in terms of earnings per share for this year.

The Ireland U-20 team has been named for their final IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship match.

The following is the Ireland U-20 team to play Wales U-20 in Fukuoka on Wednesday evening in the IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship in Japan.

Ireland U-20 coach Allen Clarke has named his team for their final IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship pool game against Uruguay in Nagoya on Saturday.

Coach Allen Clarke will have to plan without captain Peter O'Mahony, following a citing, when the Ireland U20s play New Zealand in their second Junior World Championship pool game in Nagoya on Tuesday evening (kick off: 11am Irish time).

Argtentina U20s 9 Ireland U20s 16

Cork Constitution's Peter O'Mahony will lead the Ireland U20s into their first IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship match against Argentina in Nagoya on Friday (9am Irish time).

CORK boss Denis Walsh last night insisted this weekend’s local championship action is vital ahead of Cork’s Munster SHC clash with Tipperary on May 31. Walsh believes club games are imperative for him and his selectors in ascertaining the form of his Cork squad.

Mr Thriller made it two from two for the David Pipe yard by overcoming a howler at the second-last to take the Docker Hughes Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Fontwell.

THE cold and rain failed to deter about 12,000 people from voicing their anger over education cutbacks outside Leinster House last night.

The Government tonight stood firm by controversial Budget cuts in the education sector despite the protests of 10,000 angry teachers, parents and pupils outside a Dáil debate on the issue.

BANDON native Red Crowley played with Carbery against Glen Rovers in the 1971 county SHC and scored 1-6 from centre forward.

An American aid worker badly injured by a landmine in Somalia will meet today the Irish pilot who rescued him for the first time.

Coach Nigel Carolan has gone for a misture between youth and experience in his Connacht ‘A’ side to play Russian tourists Enisei STM at the Sportsground on Tuesday (kick off: 7pm).

Galwegians provide nine of the Connacht A side to play Ulster 'A' in Enniskillen on Tuesday (kick off: 5pm).

BUSINESSMAN Joe Moran has taken sole ownership of housebuilder Manor Park after buying out minority shareholder DCC.

FOLLOWING months of speculation Joe Moran, 51% owner of Manor Part Homes looks set to buy out minority stakeholder DCC.

PABLO Du Charmil took full advantage of a weakened William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter with a thrilling front-running performance yesterday.