Ultimately, it will be the responsibility of Mick McCarthy and his staff to work out the required balance between caution and adventure when Ireland travel to Denmark in a fortnight’s time.

At Ireland’s training camp in Portugal, Luca Connell is telling us how his unexpected call-up has disrupted his summer holiday plans. Not that he’s complaining, mind.

The call-up will be a boost for Connell after his club, Bolton Wanderers, went into administration following their relegation from the Championship.

Chicago, November 2016 will forever be seared into the minds of Irish rugby supporters, for obvious reasons. The place and time of a first victory over New Zealand in 111 years has that effect and it was a moment to be savoured.

"It's hard to put into words the last few days."

Skipper Sergio Ramos scored a late penalty clincher as Real Madrid came from behind to win 3-1 at Leganes and ease themselves into third place in LaLiga.

The 20-dog unit has been involved in seizures totalling €79m over three years

Naming a baby is a big responsibility — how do parents choose and what are the stories behind those choices? Andrea Mara finds out.

Got an issue? Ask Audrey...

IT WAS pleasant indeed to be rafting down the River Vltava in Bohemia in Czech Republic of a Sunday afternoon, so pleasant that some of us said that, one day, we’d paddle all the way to the Elbe and across Germany to the North Sea, writes Damien Enright

"People had to wait five days to get a table just to see the show."

This self-published romantic novel shows bags of potential.

A French court has overturned a ban on burkinis issued in Cannes - the first in a series of bans on the swimwear this summer that set off a heated controversy at home and a wave of outrage abroad.

The UN human rights office has condemned local bans in France on burkini swimwear as "a grave and illegal breach of fundamental freedoms" and a "stupid reaction" to recent extremist attacks.

France's top administrative court has overturned a ban on burkinis in a Mediterranean beach resort, effectively meaning that towns can no longer issue bans on the swimsuits that have divided the country and brought world attention to its fraught relationship with Muslims.

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A Harvard study shows children reap more benefits if they are read to by their fathers rather than their mothers. Arlene Harris gets chapter and verse from different sides of the debate

As school league tables show top performing schools place a big emphasis on career guidance. Ellie O’Byrne has been looking at how parents can help children find their passion

Richard Hughes might be retiring at the end of Glorious Goodwood but that thought could not be further away from Frankie Dettori’s mind as he racked up another Group-race success in the Qatar Vintage Stakes on Galileo Gold.

Jack and Emily retained their positions as the top baby names in Ireland last year.

"Being bold" is a uniquely Irish way of misbehaving - otherwise know as 'acting the maggot', 'kaffling' or 'being a scut'.

Some very funny kids have decided to let us know what the future will be like, and they’re very funny.

Ferrari chairman Luca Di Montezemolo will step down next month and Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is set to take on the role.

Jonathan Sexton hopes to have his contract situation sorted out in the next few weeks amid growing speculation he may remain with Racing Metro 92 in France for at least a third season.

Hilary Duff admits her split from husband Mike Comrie has been "very difficult."

Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot heroine Bracelet fought off stable companion Tapestry and British raider Volume to clinch Classic glory in a thrilling renewal of the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday night.

Bracelet gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh with a determined effort in the hands of Colm O’Donoghue.

As Il Divo prepare for their Cork gig, Sébastien Izambard tells Jo Kerrigan his rags to riches tale.

Clodagh Murphy

Hilary Duff and her ex-husband Mike Comrie have reportedly decided to give their marriage another go.

And they call it puppy love: Smitten pooches guide owners down the aisle

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie have agreed to share custody of their son.

Hilary Duff has split from her husband Mike Comrie.

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano snaps a shot of Dublin's fair city during a rare break in the clouds.

Sally Gunnell is set to star in 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'.

A pet dog has been saved after it plunged 200ft down a cliff.

Flotilla produced a record-breaking performance when getting up in the final strides to land the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) at Longchamp yesterday.