Cobh Ramblers 0 Drogheda Utd 2: A couple of well taken goals in two second-half minutes in this SSE Airtricity First Division play off, first leg put Drogheda well on course for a return to the Premier League.

Gloucester 40 Connacht 32 (AET): It had all the hallmarks of past heartbreaks. Connacht, punching above their weight, looked set to close in on the ultimate prize, only to be denied at the bitter end, whether by their own hand, or by questionable refereeing decisions.

Tributes have been paid to right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy, who has died after suffering from primary progressive multiple sclerosis for almost 20 years.

Kevin O’Connor scored a stunning late winner to secure Bray Wanderers’ place in the Premier Division for a tenth successive season as they beat First Division Longford Town 3-2 at the City Calling Stadium to record a 5-4 aggregate win in the promotion/relegation play-off final.

Lost dentures, loose eyeball among sick-day excuses

Bray Wanderers 2 Longford Town 2

Shop doors remained closed and window blinds drawn in the Cavan town of Bailieborough as hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of mother of four Patricia Kierans, who was found murdered in her Drumbannon home.

A fugitive Mafia boss wanted by the Italian authorities told officers who arrested him in the UK “I’m not going back, they will kill me”, a court heard.

An employee at Garda Headquarters who admitted possessing child pornography, has lost a High Court bid to save his job.

Limerick FC assistant manager Malky Thomson believes his side have the character to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat by St Patrick’s Athletic against Shamrock Rovers tomorrow.

Waterford United 1 Longford Town 1

Limerick FC maintained their three-point lead at the top of the First Division following this stalemate with second-placed Longford Town at Jackman Park last night.

If perseverance and commitment count for anything, then Pat Murray will win the West Coast Hotels-sponsored South of Ireland at Lahinch today.

Longford Town got their promotion bid back on track with a first win in four as they brushed aside SD Galway in front of just 119 fans at Eamon Deacy Park last night.

First Division leaders Longford Town bagged the points at Finn Park last night.

Unbeaten Longford Town stretched their lead at the top of the First Division with a hard-fought win over high-flying Limerick at Jackman Park.

SD Galway ended the league’s only 100% record thanks to Enda Curran’s second-half penalty at Terryland Park.

The Ireland Under-15s staged a second-half comeback last night in Killarney to clinch a draw against Belgium.

SUDDENLY, it has all become crystal clear: Cork City will travel to Tolka Park next Saturday knowing that a win against Shelbourne will deliver the First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division.

Police said a US ice cream man was driving his van while drunk when he almost hit a child.

A SOCCER player was awarded €47,000 in the High Court yesterday arising from an incident during a match which the judge described as an “unfair and cowardly” assault when the man’s jaw was fractured after he was punched by a player.

THE Republic of Ireland senior women’s side gave their World Cup qualifying campaign a massive boost yesterday by defeating Israel 3-0 at the at the Ness Ziona Stadium in Israel.

Dublin: Hibernian Aviva confirmed yesterday that Group chief executive Stuart Purdy has been appointed to the position of products director for Aviva Europe.

The senior prosecutor in the North is to produce new interim guidance following a landmark legal ruling on assisted suicide.

British law on assisted suicide should be made “appropriate for the 21st century”, right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy said today as prosecutors began work on new guidelines following her landmark legal win.

MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy yesterday won a legal bid to force the government to clarify the law on assisted suicide.

Luke Donald has shot a sparkling eight-under-par 64 on the first day of the Memorial tournament to take a three-shot lead.

SALES fell by 43% at insurance company Hibernian Aviva during the first three months of the year, compared with the same period last year.

Republic of Ireland 2-5 France

AN Irish Nationwide Building Society branch manager has asked the High Court for orders halting an inquiry instigated by the society into matters relating to his own borrowings and the handling of accounts of customers, including that of a large property developer who owes the society about e36 million.

A WOMAN who suffers from multiple sclerosis yesterday lost a legal challenge over whether her husband could be prosecuted if he helps her to commit suicide.

The Matchplay pairings for the West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship have been announced.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

A heroin addict who was paid by criminals to steal cars for use by them later in serious offences has been given a four years sentence by Judge Patrick McCartan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh set up a showdown at the Wachovia Championship after moving into a joint lead at Charlotte.

The High Court will hear on June 19 next a case in which the group human resources director with Hibernian Group claims he is being dismissed under a “bogus reconstruction plan”.

The High Court yesterday adjourned until April 16 next a case in which the group human resources director with Hibernian Group claims he is being dismissed under a “bogus reconstruction plan”.

A new chief executive for Hibernian was announced yesterday.

The Hibernian group today announced the appointment of Stuart Purdy as group chief executive, effective from February 1.