Munster head coach Johann Van Graan hailed his side's second-half display as they secured a 30-5 win over Castres Olympique in their Heineken Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park.

Ask Audrey has been sorting out Cork people for ages like ...

The mind has always been willing for more rugby but sometimes in this long season the body screams at Rory Scannell to tell him enough is enough.

Johann van Graan has been delighted at the way Ireland have pieced victory after victory together over the past six weeks and can now complete the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Twitter user Derek Byrne spotted one of the most unusual scenes today in Wicklow town, writes Breda Graham.

Crystal Palace have announced the departure of assistant manager Sammy Lee following the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the club's new boss.

A survivor of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, England, has described her shock at being turned down for full compensation for what she suffered because authorities deemed she had consented to the abuse.

Former ‘Fair City’ actress Lisa Harding has written a novel about human-trafficking in Ireland, says Olivia Kelleher

There’s nothing we like to watch more than a good old parody! Especially when it’s of something iconic and supports a good cause. And what is more iconic about Christmas than the Irish song ‘Fairytale of New York’.

The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair By Lara Williamson (Usborne, €8.30) 

A cat was rescued in Mississippi after spending 11 days stuck in a tree.

The locals in Howth love their fish, so a seal trying to steal any has no chance.

He's obviously a fan of fresh fish.

A garda sergeant had a rock thrown at his head and told his colleague he was “a goner” as they came under fire from a violent group. He fell to the ground and the other officer, who was also injured, shielded the fallen sergeant from further harm.

Gardaí have issued a direct appeal to more than 600 people who attended a nightclub in Donegal on the night a teenager passed away in unexplained circumstances.

A town is in shock after the sudden and unexplained death of a 17-year-old girl.

We're taking a look at the films in Irish cinemas this week, including Big Game with Sam Jackson and Age of Adaline

After leading the fight against serious crime in Limerick over the last 30 years, the detective who investigated 19 feud-related killings has declared "the city is like any normal city now".

A tight finish to this afternoon’s AIB All-Ireland Club SFC final will suit Slaughtneil perfectly, claims star defender Karl McKaigue.

All-Ireland Club finalists Slaughtneil revealed Kerry star Kieran Donaghy sent a message of goodwill to Christopher Bradley for the shoulder tackle which may rule him out of the final on St Patrick’s Day.

Ireland intend to take their giant-killing knack to the next stage at the World Cup, by qualifying for the knockout rounds in New Zealand and Australia.

All-rounders John Mooney and Darren Sammy both admitted Level 1 offences for swearing audibly during Ireland’s World Cup win over West Indies in Nelson on Monday, and were fined 30% of their match fees.

Ireland have won their opening World Cup match, defeating the West Indies by four wickets in their Pool B match in Nelson.

A 22-year-old father of seven and his 46-year-old father of 16 were among five people charged in district court yesterday in relation to an incident that saw a garda hospitalised with a serious head wound and another injured.

Sammy Winward has quit 'Emmerdale'.

Oh no! Maybe this new edgier attitude isn't a good idea after all, Cheryl…

Gaelic games flower in Asian country once reluctant to embrace the outside world.

Phillip Schofield and a host of big name stars celebrate soap's best actors, actresses, villains and storylines at the The British Soap Awards 2014 on TV3 at 8.15pm tonight.

Neil Lennon admits his side’s reticence in front of goal is a concern ahead of Celtic’s crucial Champions League clash against Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday night.

Brothers Shola and Sammy Ameobi saved Newcastle’s blushes on Wednesday night by securing a late Capital One Cup second-round win at Morecambe.

It’s Saturday and the sun is shining. What more could you want? A good beach bar, that’s what. Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile picks 10 of the best from around the country

Gene Kelly worked her so hard that her feet bled. It was an apt introduction to the sleazy, sadistic side of Hollywood, Debbie Reynolds tells Dalya Alberge.

Every year, thousands of people claim to have been abducted by aliens.

Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept in court as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.

Stealing a march – or should that be swim – on next month’s 3D re-release of ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Sammy’s Great Escape’ is a sweet and inoffensive computer animation with a gentle message about mankind’s plundering of underwater resources.

Club Brugge 2 Newcastle 2

Club Brugge 2 Newcastle 2

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admits in-form striker Demba Ba could be a doubt for next weekend's Premier League trip to Anfield after limping out of Sunday's late win over West Bromwich Albion.