Front Line Defenders has launched the ‘Set Them Free’ campaign to shine a light on the fate of 11 human rights defenders suffering long-term imprisonment for what the group has called "their legitimate work defending and advancing the rights of their communities".

Five human rights defenders, who were due to attend an international conference in Dublin, have been prevented from travelling by their governments.

An Irishman has already had one big win this week, now Dundalk’s Sean Gannon is aiming for an even bigger one in Azerbaijan tonight.

Gutsy Dundalk will go to Azerbaijan next week with a genuine opportunity of reaching the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

A Pat Hoban goal 12-minutes from time has given Dundalk real hope of progress in the Champions League.

Jamie McGrath hopes his record against sides from Azerbaijan continues when their national champions, Qarabag, face Dundalk in the Champios League tomorrow night.

Vinny Perth might be taking charge of his first Champions League match when Dundalk take on Riga FC at Oriel Park tonight but the experience built up in recent years means he won’t be taking the Latvians lightly.

Canoeist Jenny Egan and track cyclist Felix English both came agonisingly close to medals at the European Games in Minsk as both were edged out in dramatic finals.

Unanimous points victories for Michael Nevin, James McGivern and Regan Buckley have continued Ireland’s positive boxing run at the European Games in Minsk – but heavyweight Tony Browne is out.

This evening's European Games in Minsk saw Michael Nevin and James McGivern sail through to the quarter finals in boxing, while the athletics team opened their bid in the Dynamic New Athletics (DNA) event.

Nathon Burns has confirmed himself as a prime candidate for an Irish medal at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, following an impressive run to the quarter-finals at the European Games in Minsk.

Dundalk will face a trip to Albania or Azerbaijan in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, should they defeat Riga FC.

Many associate the murky world of ‘dark money’ with the US political system, but its influence has reached far closer to home, including European elections and Ireland’s anti-abortion movement, says Joyce Fegan

Eden Hazard, who admitted afterwards it is time for goodbye, crowned his seven-year career with Chelsea by scoring twice in a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal in the Europa League Final in Baku in what was an emotional but glorious farewell.

A bill currently before the Oireachtas seeks to ban offshore oil and gas exploration and production.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be involved in the Europa League final after Arsenal confirmed he would not travel with the squad.

An international criminal investigation into Danske Bank has led to the first group of bankers being apprehended, and prosecutors say more will probably follow.

At the end of an atrocious year for the Irish football team, results will be off the agenda for a couple of hours at least when Dublin hosts the Euro 2020 draw tomorrow.

As well as internal pressures, Iran’s leaders have faced significant anti-government activity from ethnic minority groups, but have failed to engage, writes Brenda Shaffer.

THE surprise was that people were surprised. Nearly every Irish budget day has one surprise. One sting in the tale. A surprise they didn’t think people would make a fuss about.

Arsenal can compete for the Europa League title but the players must first cope with the long-distance travel during their group-stage matches, warned manager Unai Emery yesterday.

There will be no marquee meeting with Celtic for Cork City in the first round of the Champions League but Ireland’s title-holders will still face tough opposition when the pairings are finalised at the draw in Switzerland this morning.

Daniel Ricciardo says he needs more than winning last Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix to convince him to stay with Red Bull next season.

The Republic of Ireland will face a rerun of their World Cup qualifying campaign in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Antonio Conte has suggested there is a fixture conspiracy against his Chelsea side.

The Formula One season is all over after another year of thrills and spills.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed referee Michael Oliver refused to let him make a substitution prior to Chelsea's crucial equaliser at Anfield.

Antonio Conte says Chelsea risk losing the best goalkeeper in the world if they do not extend Thibaut Courtois’ contract.

Chelsea have been dealt an unfair hand by schedule makers in comparison to Premier League leaders Manchester City, according to boss Antonio Conte.

Chelsea crumbled as Roma moved to the top of Champions League Group C with a 3-0 victory at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night.

The family of an anti-corruption reporter who was killed in a car bombing a week ago have appeared in court in Malta for a libel case against her.

Latest: Malta has appealed to the FBI and to European forensic experts to help investigate the car bomb death of the country's leading investigative journalist.

Dublin has been chosen to host the Euro 2020 qualifying draw, which will be televised live in December 2018.

Antonio Conte admits Chelsea’s recent defeats to Arsenal remain a sore point and he will look to right a few wrongs tomorrow.

More than 1,300 foreign women and children, the families of Islamic State fighters, are being held at a camp for displaced people in northern Iraq, Iraqi officials said.

In an U21 qualifying group which underdogs Kosovo have taken the early initiative, victory for Ireland in Azerbaijan today (4pm Irish time) is a must for their 2019 European Championship hopes.

Michael O'Neill expects his Northern Ireland players to treat Friday's World Cup qualifier with San Marino as if they were playing Germany.

Lewis Hamilton has hinted that Formula One’s race officials attempted to manipulate the result of the Belgian Grand Prix following an “unnecessary” safety car.

Lewis Hamilton celebrated his 200th Formula One race by reducing Sebastian Vettel's lead at the summit of the championship following his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Dean Gardiner comes across as the kind of guy who greets triumph and disaster with much the same shrug of the shoulders.

Formula One may have headed for its traditional summer hibernation, but the future for a number of its star drivers remains unclear.

Rosenborg 2 - 1 Dundalk (a.e.t - Rosenborg win 3-2 on agg.) Matthias Vilhjalmsson’s header in extra-time and the top of the crossbar denied Dundalk a stunning result against Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion last night as their European dreams came to a cruel end in Norway.

Plenty of companies have been eager to associate themselves with Formula One, the world’s most popular racing series.