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.

Cricket’s progression in Ireland from minority interest to the World Cup stage can arguably be attributed to one man, from one extraordinary family.

In 2007, Irish cricket first announced itself to the world when Pakistan were defeated in the World Cup in Jamaica. Four years later, England were toppled in Bangalore to confirm Ireland’s upward march.

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.

Captain William Porterfield said victory over the West Indies puts Ireland in “a great position” in the World Cup.

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

Cricket: Ireland batsman Andy Balbernie believes his team-mate Ed Joyce’s experience could be crucial at the World Cup, which gets underway this weekend.

Ireland began their World Cup preparations with a five-wicket defeat to Sydney grade club Randwick Petersham.

Former Australia paceman Brett Lee has agreed a short-term deal to act as Ireland’s bowling coach in the build-up to the World Cup.

ONE of the biggest wine scandals of the past few decades reached its final chapter in a New York court on August 7 last when Rudy Kurniawan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling fake wine.

A man has been found guilty by a UK court of killing his girlfriend's baby.

Five flights in 45 hours via five countries with two kids under four, all heading to New Zealand. Caroline Hennessy presents her ‘long haul travel with kids‘ survival guide.

ST PATRICK’S DAY is upon us, so it is good to remind ourselves of the Irish wine connections.

THERE was an embarrassment of riches at the annual New Zealand wine fair last week.

Australia have named number eight Radike Samo on the wing for Saturday’s World Cup clash with Russia in Nelson.

ROTORUA was great while it lasted but the smell from the sulphuric geezers is something I am glad to have left behind.

Italy 27 USA 10

FROM the sublime to the Soviets.

IRELAND get back on the bike tomorrow against Russia (6am) and need to keep pedalling as furiously as they did at Eden Park last weekend if they are to make the most of that famous victory over Australia.

The captain of Ireland group rivals Italy, Sergio Parisse, saw his side run in nine tries in their 53-17 win against Russia in Nelson today, but has warned them that they must improve defensively.

Italy 53 Russia 17

SO round-the-world ticket sales are slow in the recession.

THE Crusaders will play another Super rugby season away from home next year after Christchurch City Council (CCC) said that a stand at the team’s Lancaster Park stadium needed to be demolished because of earthquake damage.

Two barmen charged with manslaughter after a customer downed a cocktail of shots have been found not guilty on the judge’s orders.

The barman who served a cocktail of shots to a hotel guest who died of alcohol poisoning believed the drink would be shared with his friends, a court heard today.

The amount of alcohol in the system of a hotel guest who died of alcohol poisoning after downing a cocktail of spirits could have changed after death, a court heard.

A civil engineer who died from acute alcohol poisoning after downing a cocktail of shots had challenged friends to drinks races on nights before, a court was told.

TWO barmen at the Hayes Hotel in Thurles have become the first pub workers to be tried under new manslaughter laws after a customer celebrating his birthday drank so much he died of alcohol poisoning.

AN Englishman celebrating his birthday in a Thurles hotel downed between eight and 10 spirits in a half-pint glass faster than a work colleague drank a half-pint of lager, a court has heard.

Two barmen have denied the manslaughter of a British man who died from acute alcohol intoxication almost three years ago.

Two barmen are due to go on trial for the manslaughter of a British man who died from acute alcohol intoxication.

Two barmen are due to go on trial tomorrow for the manslaughter of a British man who died from acute alcohol intoxication.

The leader of a worldwide Muslim movemen will today issue a fatwa – or Islamic religious ruling – condemning terrorism and warning suicide bombers that they are “destined for hell”.

International Rugby Board officials are confident that preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand are on track despite the financial uncertainties arising from the current global economic crisis.

Mike de Kock attempts to halt the Aidan O’Brien bandwagon in Chicago on Saturday when his Archipenko locks horns with Mount Nelson in the Arlington Million.

AIDAN O’Brien is just a 4-6 chance to chalk up a record-breaking 26 Group or Grade One winners this season after a flying start to the campaign.

Although Henry Cecil has enjoyed a fair share of Group One success during his illustrious career, it has to be said a victory for Phoenix Tower in the Coral-Eclipse would have pleased the masses.

Aidan O’Brien and Johnny Murtagh bagged another Group One on British shores as Mount Nelson earned a last-gasp win in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Mount Nelson will be Aidan O’Brien’s only runner in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Aidan O’Brien’s Mount Nelson features among the 12 horses still in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown after the confirmation stage.

Wales' Richard Johnson has some worldly advice for any young European amateur golfer who aspires to become a successful professional.

French raider Literato just held Eagle Mountain to land the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

A New Zealand cave explorer injured in a rock slide was carried to safety today after a three-day rescue, and said he had realised he would die if his friends could not get him to the surface.

The Duke of York faced a knotty problem at the unveiling of a sculpture in New Zealand today to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.