President Michael D Higgins has hit back at criticism of his tribute to Fidel Castro, saying it is “unsustainable and unwarranted”.

The Cuban government has declared nine days of mourning for Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader who has died at the age of 90.

Fidel Castro greeted his 80th birthday from his sickbed, gripping a newspaper to show he was alive two weeks after stepping down as president.

As many expected,

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Last night, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged himself a brace against Champions League opponents Malmo.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s double took him past 500 career goals and handed Real Madrid a 2-0 Champions League victory over 10-man Malmo last night.

IT would have been unthinkable for Cold War warriors such as George W Bush and Fidel Castro to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. 

Real Madrid 3 Schalke 4 (Real Madrid win 5-4 on aggregate)

We can’t get enough of these videos showing Cork off at its best.

YouTuber Raul Soares from Brazil has produced a lovely video of his time spent in Cork city.

Former president Fidel Castro has broken his silence over Cuba and the United States’ move to restore full diplomatic relations, saying that although he does not trust Washington’s politics, differences between the nations should be resolved through co-operation.

I think it’s great that the United States is starting to thaw relations with the last country from the Cold War, Cuba.

A lack of unanimity in both political parties toward President Barack Obama’s sudden move to re-establish ties with Cuba complicates any congressional effort to scuttle the most significant change in US policy towards the Communist island in 50-plus years.

The announcement, more than half a century and 11 White House presidents in the making, that Barack Obama has decided that America will end its aggressive economic isolation of Cuba and restore diplomatic relations, ends a tyranny that diminished America by sustaining poverty— and facilitating human rights abuses in Cuba — is a victory for pragmatic decency and considerable political courage.

Bells tolled in celebration and teachers halted lessons as President Raul Castro told his country Cuba was restoring relations with the United States after more than 50 years of hostility.

Juventus ended their away day blues to reignite their chances of progressing from Group A of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Malmo.

Real Madrid ensured they will go through to the Champions League knock-out stages as Group B winners with a 1-0 win over Basle.

Lionel Messi became the record goalscorer in Champions League history as he led Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over APOEL Nicosia.

Lionel Messi equalled Raul’s record of 71 Champions League goals with a brace to earn Barcelona a 2-0 win over Ajax in Group F last night.

Defender Kolo Toure claims being written off against Real Madrid was just the motivation Liverpool’s fringe players needed to prove they can provide viable alternatives for Brendan Rodgers.

Champions League Group B

With Raul’s Champions League goal record firmly in-sight, Ronaldo is not just breaking records but also barriers. Ciarán O’Connor takes a look at how Ronaldo’s performance against Liverpool in Anfield on Wednesday broke the barrier between the fiercest of foes as he was applauded off.

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will be reprimanded by manager Brendan Rodgers after swapping shirts with Real Madrid’s Pepe with his side 3-0 down at half-time.

Real Madrid showed exactly why they are European champions and how far Liverpool have fallen down the pecking order with a 3-0 victory in a display which oozed class at Anfield.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he may look back on not signing for Real Madrid when he had the chance as a mistake but insists he would have regretted leaving Anfield far more.

Tomorrow is Pele’s birthday — or maybe it was yesterday. Depends on where you fact check.

Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano has been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack, the club have announced.

Record-breaking Spain striker David Villa stopped short of admitting his international career is now definitely over but conceded it would be difficult for him to play for his country again as he looks ahead to a new challenge in America.

New Fulham manager Felix Magath has warned now is “not the time to dream” and vowed there is only hard work ahead as the Cottagers battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo had no idea he was going to win the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player last week and only burst into tears as he picked up his award when he saw his family crying at the ceremony.

Last Thursday evening, a French-Algerian footballer arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport on a flight from Doha.

A Uruguayan man who was rescued after spending four months apparently lost in the Andes was on the run from child sex allegations, it has emerged.

Gareth Bale’s spectacular world record €99 million (£85m) move to Real Madrid from Tottenham will be officially announced today.

Tottenham’s biggest ever spending spree looks set to continue with the purchase of Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian.

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal should have nothing to fear about tackling one of Europe’s heavyweights in Bayern Munich — with history showing on their day his side are a match for anyone.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to return to management with Bayern Munich this summer has received the thumbs up from his former club Barcelona.

Fidel Castro, who appeared in public for the first time in six months amid a swirl of rumours he was dead or dying, blasted the reports as rubbish in a sarcastic editorial in state media yesterday.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has criticised rumour-mongers who claim he is on his death bed.

Les Davies, a 27-year-old winger who is a cult hero for his club Bangor City, has made it on to the 32-man list of players nominated for Uefa’s best player in Europe award.

As the dust settles on Ireland’s European championship flop Miguel Delaney looks at the successes and failures in Poland and where Giovanni Trapattoni can go from here.

At 35, Andriy Shevchenko is no spring chicken but Kiev’s favourite son is still the man the French fear most, according to his friend and foe Laurent Blanc.