The HSE has apologised in court to a couple for the shortcomings in care which resulted in the death of their baby son at Cavan General Hosptial over eight years ago.

For many pet owners, their furry companions are valued members of their families, providing companionship, endless fun, and affection. Ruth Doris explores some pet care start-ups. 

Ireland 27 France 22: Not a performance to shout about, but Ireland’s U20s did just about enough to make it three wins from three in this year’s Six Nations at Donnybrook last night.

A dramatic 45 foot birdie putt on the 18th green at Fota Island last evening by Ulster’s Ben Best foiled Connacht of a famous victory on the second day of the Interprovincial Championship. The match ended 5½ points apiece, leaving Leinster, who defeated Munster 8-3, the favourites to retain the title when they take on Ulster in today’s decider.

Four criminals were contracted in Lithuania to target a Galway jewellers where they carried out an armed robbery stealing €1.1m worth of diamond rings and Rolex watches.

A man arrived from Lithuania a couple of days before a €1.1m armed robbery took place at a Galway city jewellers, a trial heard today.

A man who denies involvement in the armed robbery of over €1.1m worth of diamond rings and Rolex watches from a Galway city jewellers was wrestled to the ground a short distance from the scene by two gardaí who were assisted by three passersby, a trial heard today.

Armagh 1-18 Derry 0-15: Armagh went down, but not without a fight, and Kieran McGeeney took the positives from a difficult spring despite the team’s relegation from Division 2 for the second time in three seasons.

A man who lost money in a betting shop and was observed kicking a dog as he emerged into the street, was ordered by a judge to pay the dog-owner €250 in compensation for his action.

Caitriona McConnell sparkled for Monaghan as they were convincing winners over Cavan in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC qualifiers at Kingspan Breffni Park this afternoon.

Irish team captain Tony Goode has backed late call-ups Robin Dawson and Rowan Lester to make the most of the opportunities handed to them by the withdrawals of Paul Dunne and Gary Hurley from next week’s Home International defence at Royal Portrush.

The Walker Cup captain will not be there but Cormac Sharvin reckons the R&A selectors that come to Royal Dublin this week will be looking for fireworks from the home brigade when the Irish Amateur Open tees off today.

The spelling might be different but the result was the same as Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy joined Rory McIlroy on a prestigious list of winners of the Radisson West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point yesterday.

Youngster Sean Flanagan will today bid to become the first local golfer to claim the West of Ireland Golf Championship in 65 years.

Niall Loughlin hit 1-4 in Celtic Park last night to help Derry book their place in the Ulster U21 FC quarter-finals.

St Flannan’s, Ennis 1-4 Coachford College 0-3: Munster Colleges Senior A camogie final: St Flannan’s College secured a second consecutive Munster Colleges Senior A camogie title after a bruising encounter on Saturday in Cloughduv.

Wherever she goes, it seems he has to follow, writes Kieran Shannon.

Derry 1-5 Queen’s 1-9

O’Byrne Cup

Ireland’s defence of the Sue Johnson Trophy faltered yesterday as they capitulated in the afternoon’s singles to lose 5½-2½ to England at the Senior Women’s Home Internationals in Huddersfield.

Carrickmore scraped past Augher to avoid a shock in the Hunky Dorys Tyrone SFC at Dunmoyle (0-10 to 0-8).

Ireland had to play second fiddle to Spain in the final of the European Amateur Team Championship in Finland at the weekend — a 5-2 trouncing meant they returned home yesterday with the silver medal.

Four Irish amateurs will tee it up at Fota Island today and while they all dream of following in the footsteps of fairytale 2009 champion Shane Lowry, they’re just thrilled to have a chance to rub shoulders with Rory McIlroy and some of the best players in the world.

Dermot McElroy is determined to break his championship duck when the Irish Amateur Open gets under way at The Royal Dublin today.

There was no victory birthday celebration for Rory McIlroy at the Wells Fargo Championship and the 25-year heading home after yet another top-10 finish this season.

Dungarvan’s Kevin Stack and West Waterford’s Gary Hurley kept Munster interest alive in the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Championship at a sun-kissed County Sligo.

Dermot McElroy hopes to celebrate his call-up to the St Andrews Trophy squad by challenging for his first amateur major when the Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open gets under way at Rosses Point today.

Gardaí have ruled out foul play following the discovery a man’s body in a tiny rural village in Co Clare on Saturday morning.

Ballymena amateur Dermot McElroy missed the cut, but Kevin Phelan, David Higgins and Ruaidhri McGee still have a chance to win their European Tour cards at the Final Stage of the Qualifying School in Spain.

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has expressed disappointment Shane Lowry is not in France for the Seve Trophy, commencing in France today.

Ireland produced a dramatic comeback to keep alive their hopes of claiming the Home International title at Ganton, Yorkshire after fighting back to secure a scintillating 8½-6½ win over defending champions Scotland.

Ireland suffered a disappointing start to the Home International Championship at Ganton, suffering a narrow 8-7 defeat at the hands of a below strength England side.

The HSE could be forced to close wards, cancel operations and change medical card eligibility to combat its deficit, a health economist has warned.

Brian Casey had to be content with second spot in the English Open strokeplay championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Formby after a final round hiccup.

Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass) won the Silver Medal as leading qualifier in the AIG sponsored Irish Amateur Close Championship at Connemara GC yesterday when he shot a six under par 66 in the second round.

Tyrone 4-11 Monaghan 1-10

Tempo (Fermanagh) 0-09 St Gall’s (Antrim) 1-15