It may be a time of the year for family, fun and festivities, but try telling that to the many Irish footballers based abroad who regularly miss out on the magic of Christmas.

Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool survived a major scare against Notts County at Anfield to book their place in the third round of the Capital One Cup, winning 4-2 after extra-time.

Ian Holloway saw his Premier League new boys Crystal Palace embarrassed by League One Bristol City in the Capital One Cup at Ashton Gate tonight.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce hailed David Meyler after the Republic of Ireland international’s first goal in English football helped Hull City to a 2-1 win at Watford on Saturday that lifted them to fourth in the Championship table.

Leicester 2 Barnsley 2

Blackburn’s first game of the post-Steve Kean era finished in a 1-1 npower Championship draw at Charlton, while rock-bottom Peterborough secured their first points of the season with a 3-1 win at promotion hopefuls Hull.

Barnsley 1 Ipswich 1

Swansea 3 Barnsley 1

Leeds defender Andy O’Brien will receive the club’s full support as he bids to win back his first-team place after receiving treatment for depression.

BORD GAIS NEPTUNE, the most decorated team in the Nivea for Men SuperLeague, qualified for the semi-finals of the current competition with an 83-69 victory over old rivals, DCU Saints, while Belfast Star pulled off the shock of the play-offs in the form of a dramatic two-point victory over UCC Demons yesterday afternoon.

LEYTON ORIENT skipper Stephen Dawson looks set to miss Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at Arsenal and could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

LEYTON ORIENT captain Stephen Dawson hopes his display in Sunday’s FA Cup cracker with Arsenal has caught the eye of Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.

ARSENE WENGER is a self-confessed football geek who spends his spare time watching obscure matches from around the world.

Leyton Orient 1 Arsenal 1

Dubliner Stephen Dawson has survived homesickness, rejection and relegation but hopes leading out Leyton Orient against mighty Arsenal in the cup begins a new chapter in his life. He spoke to Julian Bennetts.

UL EAGLES cruised to a sixth Superleague win out of seven yesterday, destroying Moycullen with 30 points to spare in Limerick.

UL EAGLES will be fancied to reinforce their position at the top of the Southern Conference when they travel to Belfast to play Ulster Elks this weekend while Neptune bid to keep the pressure on SuperLeague champions, UCC Demons, for the prime second spot.

TOMORROW is Super Saturday for Irish basketball’s SuperLeague clubs, with the quarter-finals of the men’s National Cup throwing up interesting pairings.

AFTER their thrilling derby game on Friday night at The Mardyke Arena, UCC Demons and National Event Hire Neptune go their separate ways this weekend with the NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague champions heading to Jordanstown and Neptune make their first trip to Moycullen.

Mansfield 0 Middlesbrough 2

CHAMPIONS DART Killester got their defence of the title off to a winning start against UCD/Marian on Thursday night and were able to watch from the wings as the NIVEA for MEN’S SuperLeague got back into full swing over the weekend with significant victories for Abrakebabra Tigers, Limerick Lions, and Neptune.

The opening weekend of the Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague got off to a thrilling start with Limerick Lions snatching victory from the hands of Ballina, while Belfast Star came out on top in the Ulster derby with league newcomers University of Ulster.

Mansfield midfielder Stephen Dawson and referee Kevin Wright are both likely to be suspended after the player incurred two bookings against MK Dons without being dismissed.

Troubled rock star Pete Doherty will be sentenced today after admitting possessing heroin.

JUNKIE rock star Pete Doherty was remanded in custody yesterday after pleading guilty to possessing heroin.

Rock star Pete Doherty was remanded in custody today after pleading guilty to possessing heroin.

Bohemians Stephen Ward has been included by international Under-19 manager Sean McCaffrey in a squad of 18 players he has named for the European 2003/2004 Championship first qualifying phase in San Marino next week.

Republic of Ireland Under-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named a squad of 18 players for two friendly matches against Norway in Dublin later this month.

A British man who was forced to abandon his attempt to row across the Pacific after his boat’s rudder broke was picked up by Coastguards 400 miles off Japan’s northern coast today.