The Department of Foreign Affairs has activated its Consular Crisis Centre to assist people who are concerned about relatives and friends in Japan.

ENGLAND footballer Joe Cole avoided an immediate ban for speeding at 105mph after a court heard yesterday his wife was “severely traumatised” after being dragged from her car by “eight thugs on motorbikes”.

England midfielder Joe Cole avoided an immediate ban for speeding at 105mph after a court heard today that his wife was “severely traumatised” after being dragged from her car by “eight thugs on motorbikes”.

More and more angry fans are complaining about television coverage of big games. This could also be down to more fans staying away from the games and preferring to watch them in the – cost-free – comfort of their own homes or their local pub. Anyway, this week again, there’s praise and criticism in equal measure again for RTÉ and TV3.

Kildare 1-9 Louth 0-7

Louth manager Eamon McEneaney has named an unchanged team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier against Cork (O'Moore Park, throw-in 2pm).

Wolfe Tones clubman Niall McLoughlin has been named in the Meath team to take on Fermanagh in tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier (Pairc Tailteann, throw-in 7pm).

Louth manager Eamonn McEneaney has made six changes in personnel to his side for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Limerick (Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 7pm).

Louth 1-11 Wicklow 0-14

All-Ireland champions Tyrone came with a whisker of a sensational exit from the race for Sam, when a late Owen Mulligan equaliser earned them another chance to crack a huge challenge from the Wee County.

Louth manager Eamonn McEneaney has brought his big guns back in for tomorrow's NFL Division Two semi-final against Limerick (Newbridge, throw-in 3pm).

A BITTERLY disappointing week for sport in the west worsened still further yesterday with Galway Golf Club’s defeat by North West in the semi-final of the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup.

GALWAY’S dream of an unprecedented hat-trick at the Bulmers inter-club festival of golf was shattered at Rosslare yesterday when they lost in agonising fashion in the finals of both the Barton Shield and Irish Junior Cup.

GALWAY’S golfers are all set to atone for the defeat of their hurlers by Cork in Sunday’s All-Ireland final following a fruitful opening day in the Bulmers inter-club festival at Rosslare.

GALWAY GOLF CLUB go in search of a rare treble at Rosslare this week when they contest the finals of the Bulmers Irish Senior and Junior Cups and Barton Shield.

Louth 1-06 Westmeath 0-12

JUST a fraction of the money needed to help elderly Irish emigrants in the US and Britain will be provided by the Government this year, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday.

Dermot McCabe was the star of the show as Cavan advanced Louth in the all-Ireland footballer qualifier in Navan.

ALL-IRELAND football champions Armagh are taking no chances with Waterford in their qualifier by naming a near full-strength side for the long trip to Walsh Park on Sunday.

Dublin 1-19, Louth 0-09

CORK footballers got a timely warning at the weekend of the potential of Limerick ahead of next Sunday’s Munster SFC clash with the Shannonsiders at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

Louth defender John Neary will miss the Wee County's championship opener with Wicklow on May 11 following confirmation of an ankle break.

Louth boss Paddy Carr has made six changes to his team to face Wicklow in Div 2A of the NFL at Aughrim on Saturday.