From the meandering canals of Amsterdam to downing cheap bottles of wine on the sizzling Croatian coast — Kevin O’Neill explains the time-honoured allure of interrailing across mainland Europe.

The boss of Aer Lingus has said he has still his mind set on the potential for growth at Cork Airport, as the airline unveiled its schedule for next summer which was focused on new services out of Dublin.

Croatia have been docked one point in European Championship qualifying after a swastika symbol was seen on their pitch.

A champion teenager had died happy, his grieving family was told yesterday.

The Croatian Football Federation has apologised after a swastika could be seen on the pitch during their European Championship qualifier against Italy in Split on Friday night.

Chris Coleman believes Wales are on the brink of “something special” and beating Belgium tonight (7.45pm, Live on Sky Sports 5) would prove it as victory would put them among the top seeds for next month’s 2018 World Cup draw.

Pilgrims due to travel to Croatia from Dublin yesterday refused to board their flight after it had already returned to the airport twice with technical issues.

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny is refusing to throw in the towel on his side’s Europa League challenge ahead of tonight’s second qualifying round second leg clash with Hajduk Split in Croatia.

Croatia’s second largest city of Split will close its zoo, which has been described by foreign tourists as the “worst in the world”.

Best European Fiction 2014

Goran Ivanisevic would love to see Andy Murray win Wimbledon and receive a Scottish homecoming to match his own incredible reception in Split 12 years ago.

Croatia head coach Igor Stimac has launched a withering attack on Daniel Levy, accusing the Tottenham chairman of breaking promises to Luka Modric over a potential transfer to Real Madrid.

Croatia’s head coach is disappointed Andre Villas-Boas is not picking Luka Modric, but expects the unsettled playmaker to complete his move from Tottenham to Real Madrid soon.

At least seven Czech tourists have been killed and 44 injured in a bus crash in Croatia, police said.

Stoke’s first Europa League tie will see them face Croatian giants Hajduk Split in the third qualifying round.

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Mario Ancic has called time on his tennis career at the age of 26 following a series of injuries and illnesses.

Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic has been voted the 2010 winner of the women's European Athlete of the Year Award.

DERVAL O’ROURKE put the finishing touches to another successful season with an impressive if not spectacular performance at the IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split yesterday when she finished fifth in the 100m hurdles in 12.99 secs.

DESPITE a disappointing run in Zagreb on Wednesday, Derval O’Rourke can end the season in style this weekend, says coach Sean Cahill.

A TRAIN derailed in Croatia, killing six people and injuring 55 on a route linking the capital and the central coastal town of Split, police said.

A train derailed in a remote area of southern Croatia today killing six people and injuring at least 20, officials said.

Blackburn hope to have veteran striker Christian Vieri on show when they play in a three-team tournament in Croatia tomorrow.

THE Malév summer timetable features three new cities and additional services on established routes.

NIGEL Worthington’s reign as full-time Northern Ireland manager got off to a losing start as Bulgaria — the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group rivals — edged a tight friendly at Windsor Park.

No-frills airline easyJet reported a 13% jump in passenger numbers today as it maintained the strong rate of growth seen over the last year.

DERVAL O’ROURKE will follow a familiar path when she concludes her preparations for the world championships in Germany over the weekend.

Croatian war crimes suspect Ante Gotovina pleaded not guilty today to seven counts of murder, persecution and expulsion of Serbs during the critical final months of the Croatian war in 1995.

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr made sweeping changes to his side for tonight’s friendly visit of Croatia to Lansdowne Road.

CROATIA will line out without first choice goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa after he missed the team’s flight from Zagreb to Dublin.

SONIA O'SULLIVAN will not make any decision on her athletics future until later this year, the Cobh athlete revealed yesterday.

Two of the Premiership’s big-money strikers were on target on a busy night of international friendlies last night.

THE main contenders for Euro 2004 will blow away the winter cobwebs with a series of friendly games today, less than four months before the start of the tournament in Portugal.

CROAT police have arrested a man caught smuggling 50 NATO-issue rocket-launched grenades on a suspected arms run for the Real IRA.

IN the coming weeks this column will feature "Good Buy" holidays for 2003, dealing with the traditionally popular sun holiday destinations, both far afield and closer to home.

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THE world of women's middle distance running may be buzzing in advance of the showdown between defending champion Sonia O'Sullivan and Paula Radcliffe in tonight's 10,000m final in Munich, but the newly crowned Commonwealth Games champion played it down yesterday.

TRAFFIC at Cork Airport has reached record levels despite reports of a low tourism figures for the country.

Goran Ivanisevic is starting six months military service in Croatia.

Wimbledon hero Goran Ivanisevic removed his shirt as usual - then almost every other item of clothing - as he completed his dream 48 hours after his Wimbledon win with an emotional homecoming in Split last night.

In a serious blow to Croatia’s new, pro-Western Government, the nationalist party of the late President Franjo Tudjman did much better than expected in yesterday’s local elections, leading in several counties and finishing second in Zagreb, the capital.