Eamon Dunphy was right. And then he was wrong. And then he was right again. It can be hard to keep up with the Dunph, sometimes, writes Liam Mackey.

Italy is the only country in the eurozone where per capita output has actually fallen since it joined the euro, writes Gavin Jones.

Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi has spoken of his shock following the death of his bandmate, Rick Parfitt, describing him as "the archetypal rock star".

An ex-fiancée of Charlie Sheen has sued the actor claiming he didn’t disclose he was HIV positive until after they had sex several times, and that he was was physically and emotionally abusive during their relationship.

How has Status Quo remained such a band of happy campers for so long? Since their formation in 1962, has there ever been a photo of them frowning? 

A new exhibition exploring our obsession with shoes opens today at the V&A. Suzanne Harrington ditches the heels and takes a look.

Rihanna wore a bronze leather Fendi gown and a fabulous full-length fur to the opening of the brand’s New York flagship. 

Giuseppe Rossi is frustrated to miss out on a third straight major tournament with Italy after being among the final cuts made by coach Cesare Prandelli.

It might be close to 30 years ago, but Mickey Walsh remembers the goal like it was yesterday.

As grey power takes hold, Rose Mary Roche wonders why so many women are happy to go silver and even more are seeing it as a fashion.

At 8.47pm on Sunday night, Italian football returned from its winter break; at 10.37pm, the title race was over.

Chris Froome’s success at this year’s Tour de France has officially been given the green light by drug testers.

A senior Catholic cleric with connections to the Vatican bank was arrested for plotting to help rich friends smuggle tens of millions of euro in cash into Italy from Switzerland, in the latest blow to the Vatican’s image.

A spectacular 14th century figure of an 11-headed Tibetan Avalokiteshvara is an antiquities highlight at the European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), in full swing at Maastricht until Mar 24.

On a visit to Brazil this week Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness jointly opened a George Best exhibition in Sao Paolo.

Rock veterans Status Quo are to reunite their classic original line-up for a series of shows next year, they announced today.

Italy Under-21s 2 Republic of Ireland Under-21s 4

When two scholars claimed to have found undiscovered Caravaggio sketches, the art world took notice, but writes Barbie Latza Nadeau, many say the find is too good to be true

Giovanni Trapattoni admits he does not know what to expect from Spain counterpart Vicente del Bosque as the pair prepare for Euro 2012 battle.

We got the full monty here in Montecatini this week, from earth tremors to a minor eruption by Mt Trap.

Former Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi has today apologised for his behaviour after hitting one of his own players during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Novara.

Former Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi has been banned for three months by the Italian football league after he attacked midfielder Adem Ljajic during yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Novara.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will miss Italy’s Euro 2012 campaign after suffering another serious knee injury.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will miss Italy’s Euro 2012 campaign after suffering another serious knee injury.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says Antonio Di Natale will be considered for selection for Euro 2012 despite overlooking the veteran striker in the past.

Even Socrates regretted not getting to close the deal with the most beautiful woman in the world. But as he said, it can happen, and he could always say he at least got to dance with her

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has not ruled out a return to international football for Antonio Di Natale, despite the striker again being left out of his latest squad.

MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has paid tribute to his good friend Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life in an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang yesterday.

ON the day that Manchester rockers — the Stone Roses re-formed and vowed to ‘take the world by storm’, Manchester City’s hopes of doing exactly that were transformed by a dramatic last-minute Sergio Aguero goal against Villarreal in the Champions League.

Man City 2 Villarreal 1

Faroe Islands 0 Italy 1

THIS was the kind of night that could just give the meaningless end of season friendly a good name, as an Irish side which spent most of the 90 minutes defending as if for its very life, somehow ended up recording a memorable, if almost inexplicable, 2-0 win against Italy.

Republic of Ireland 2 Italy 0

Italy 3 Estonia 0

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has had a lucky escape – after being hit by a bull.

FALCAO struck four second-half goals to help Porto battle back from a half-time deficit against Villarreal and leave the Portuguese giants all but through to the Europa League final in Dublin.

Palermo have appointed Serse Cosmi as their new coach following the sacking of Delio Rossi.

Sergio Aguero has ended speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham after signing a contract extension with Atletico Madrid.

Three hikers have died after being caught in an avalanche in northern Italy.

A new way of producing stem cells that could lead to treatments for illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's was revealed by US scientists today.