A jury at the trial of a Clondalkin man accused of pointing a loaded gun at gardaí has heard that the weapon allegedly recovered from him was “cocked, ready for use” and had its serial number erased.

NEW Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is enduring a baptism of fire in his first few weeks in the job.

Doncaster 1 Tottenham 5

Wolves 1 Doncaster 0

Aston Villa 3 Doncaster 1

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill made seven changes to the side which drew with Wigan at the weekend for the home FA Cup fourth-round replay with Doncaster.

Doncaster 0 Aston Villa 0

THREE shamed Sunderland players could face disciplinary action after they were caught on film taking part in a sex romp.

Sunderland officials have launched an investigation after three players were alleged to have taken part in a filmed sex session.

Sunderland’s players returned for pre-season training today with the club’s future still to be decided.

SUNDERLAND skipper Gary Breen has been released following the club’s relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sunderland skipper Gary Breen has been released following the club’s relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sunderland have released midfielder Martin Woods.

Sunderland defender Steve Caldwell will take over the captain’s armband for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Wigan as Gary Breen sits out through suspension.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy admits he may have nothing to lose by pitching more of his younger players into action this season.

England striker Jermain Defoe was again included among the Tottenham substitutes for the Barclays Premiership clash with Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Former Everton centre-back Alan Stubbs has become Sunderland’s seventh signing of the summer after agreeing a 12-month deal with the option of an extra year at the Stadium of Light.

SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy will urge his team to match the hardiness demonstrated by the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup campaigns as they aim for Premiership survival.

Damian Spellman

Ireland’s men stayed on target for a place in the main draw of next year, when they won the first of their 5/10 position playoffs at the European Squash Team Championships in Rennes yesterday.

MARK VIDUKA yesterday pulled out of Leeds’ pre-season trip to Dublin – much to the disappointment of boss Peter Reid.

David Batty’s fear of flying has forced him out of this weekend’s pre-season trip to Dublin.

A former builder who kidnapped and raped two sisters and forced them to perform 'humiliating' sexual acts on each other has been jailed for 10 years by the Central Criminal Court.

A fire alarm at a backpackers' hostel had been switched off the night as flames swept through the building, killing 15 young travellers, a court has been told.