The country has almost ground to a halt, and so has racing, but being so close to the Cheltenham Festival it’s crucial that the horses continue to get their exercise.

A new mental health initiative aimed at secondary school students is being hailed by psychologists as the best piece of experiential learning “in years”.

KILKENNY senior panellists Richie Doyle and Kieran Joyce have both been named in the starting 15 for the county’s intermediate team that do battle with Wexford in the Leinster IHC final in Nowlan Park tonight at 7.30pm.

SEAN KELLY left Cork yesterday on his Tour of Munster stage across the Vee, on to Cashel and to Limerick but he will be back next Wednesday to see how the young guns of world and Irish cycling handle the notorious St Patrick’s Hill climb when the Tour of Ireland hits it at the end of its first stage from Kilkenny.