As he gets ready for the Fastnet Film Festival, director Stephen Frears tells Esther McCarthy about his work on such movies such as Philomena and The Snapper, as well as his new-found love for West Cork

Elderly people living at home are not receiving the level of support nurses say they need and this amounts to “elder abuse” by the State.

A judge yesterday banned a 74-year-old peace activist from entering Co Clare arising from an alleged incursion into Shannon Airport.

The head of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association says they feel vindicated about their decision to leave the Irish Farmers Association following the recent controversies.

The cost of raising an autistic child is set to be assessed as part of a national survey by a researcher, who found the average annual cost to families is €6,600.

Hot on the heels of Damien Duff joining Shamrock Rovers, comes news of another former Irish international winger arriving in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, with confirmation Keith Treacy has signed for Drogheda United.

The death of Bill O’Herlihy has seen tributes flood in for the legendary broadcaster.

Last month, Pádraig Harrington told us, on the back of Europe’s Ryder Cup win, that Paul McGinley could do a job managing in the Premier League.

Yesterday’s outburst by Roddy Collins on the demise of the League of Ireland was roundly criticised, with Dundalk’s title-winning captain Stephen O’Donnell leading the reaction.

Behind all the bonhomie and judicious score-settling, Roy Keane’s books are discreetly aimed at Premier League bosses, says Michael Clifford

Suddenly, the lead-in to Ireland’s European Championship qualifier with Gibraltar has become a little more interesting. Roy Keane is back with a book.

Larry Ryan and Julian Bennetts argue the toss.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what’s best on the box tonight.

The Menu is glad to see the poor benighted banks being afforded some well-deserved TLC with a clutch of their very own holidays arriving in quick succession and he shall pass the next in Lovely Limerick, enjoying the exceedingly family-friendly Riverfest (May 2-5).

St Francis College, Rochestown (Cork)2-8Rice College, Westport (Mayo)1-5

We must delve briefly into a murky area this week; the world of marketing.

The technical term in the newspaper industry for the Roddy Doyle-writing-Roy-Keane’s-new-biography alliance is a “gusher”: as in one of those derrick-blasting oil fields which we used to see when Dallas ruled the airwaves, an apparently untappable source of columns, features and quirky pieces.

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Party time never seems to end for Cork Golf Club these days. Just as calm returns to Little Island after their successful 125th year celebrations, they are now turning their attentions to next week’s Irish Cups and Shields finals at Royal Tara for which they have qualified in the Barton Shield and Irish Senior Cup.

Hod and Rod. Two men made for centre stage inched back into the glare this week.

Steve Collins has strenuously denied suggestions that his fight with Roy Jones Jnr won’t be going ahead this summer, instead saying the bout is on track and he is “so up for it, you wouldn’t believe, I’m just waiting on the date now”.

Steve Collins’ proposed bout with Roy Jones Jnr won’t now be happening, according to the Cabra man’s brother and current Athlone Town soccer manager Roddy.

Galway came from ten points down to stun Mayo in yesterday’s Connacht Ladies SFC final at McHale Park in Castlebar.

As 30,000 fans cheered on the Republic of Ireland in Poznan last night, yet another Airtricity League club was forced to withdraw from the domestic top flight due to a lack of support.

Cora Staunton destroyed Galway to ensure Mayo made an immediate return to the top flight after the Division 2 Bord Gáis Energy league final at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Mayo 4-17 Galway 2-7

Bohemians host former manager Roddy Collins' Monaghan United side at 7.45pm tonight.

Pan Pan’s take on Henrik Ibsen’s classic tragedy toys with its title but is otherwise true to his vision, says Pádraic Killeen

Monaghan go into tonight's game against St Patrick’s Athletic without the services of four key players.

Shamrock Rovers will be hot favourites to make it two out of two when the champions play host to Monaghan United in the Airtricity League Premier Division at Tallaght Stadium tonight (8pm kick off, all other games 7.45pm).

The Abbey’s new version of Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector demonstrates how apt the play is for our times, writes Pádraic Killeen

Kerry 3-11 Mayo 0-10

BELIEVE it or not, ladies, I’m turning 30 soon.

THE HONOURS keep coming for Graeme McDowell.

Former boxing world champion Steve Collins has been acquitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of assaulting an Albanian bouncer.

An Albanian bouncer has denied he tried to blackmail former boxing world champion Steve Collins after he fractured his two front teeth.

Edinburgh captain Roddy Grant has been rested for the Magners League encounter against Ulster at Murrayfield.

Edinburgh duo Tim Visser and Roddy Grant are listed in the nominees for the inaugural Magners League Awards ceremony at the Millennium Stadium on Monday night.

Tonight the Airtricity League kicks off after a 12-round close-season that left even Roddy ‘Queensbury Rules’ Collins punch-drunk. After all the off-field attrition – though the battle scars are yet to heal – a football match will break out.

CORK CITY’s new cooperative owners yesterday appointed Tommy Dunne as their first team manager for the coming season. Dunne served as assistant manager with former Turner’s Cross chief Paul Doolin during the eventful 2009 season.

Former Cork City player, skipper and manager Dave Barry has ruled himself out of taking on the role of first- team boss with the new Foras-owned club, which has yet to be named.

WHILE the future of Cork City was being discussed elsewhere, manager Roddy Collins used the first major press conference of his tenure to take a swipe at the club’s past.

DAN MURRAY yesterday claimed he is going through the lowest period of his life as wages owed to him, his fellow players and staff remain unpaid.

Former Bohemians double-winning boss Roddy Collins has entered the race to be next Cork City manager.