CHELSEA were last night locked in talks with Damien Duff over a potential club record transfer, with even the Republic of Ireland winger having admitted that the £17m fee is a “stupid price”.

THE Irish millionaire duo of John Magnier and JP McManus may soon find themselves fighting a bitter takeover at Manchester United, where they own more than 24% of the club’s shares.

MULTI-MILLIONAIRES claiming tax breaks on income from stallion fees should declare their earnings in the last five years, the Labour Party will argue today.

AGE will not be a barrier to Manchester United’s bid to conquer Europe this season.

RIO FERDINAND has revealed he would snub any attempt by Chelsea to prise him away from Manchester United.

THE highlight of the sporting year was the Special Olympics in Dublin. It helped that the participants were in it for the sport; animated and enthusiastic, generous in victory, gracious in defeat.

CLAUDIO RANIERI is revelling in the “Tinker Man” tag pinned on him by his critics.

JOHN O’SHEA’S starring role in Manchester United’s comprehensive FA Cup final win against Millwall has won him the Park Hotel Waterford Sport Star Of The Month for May.

THE planned supporters’ boycott of Manchester United’s Premiership clash with West Brom today has been scrapped.

THE spectre of Chelsea hangs over today’s FA Cup final as Arsene Wenger admitted Roman Abramovich’s club could dominate English football for the next decade as they are “financially doped”.

LEEDS chairman Peter Ridsdale has once again insisted David O'Leary did not leave Elland Road because of a difference of opinion over the decision to sell Rio Ferdinand.

ARSENAL and Chelsea remain locked in a battle to land Southampton teenage striker Theo Walcott.

DENIS IRWIN has predicted a return to international football for Roy Keane.

GREEN MEP Patricia McKenna has urged communities to step up their opposition to incinerators after plans to build a facility in Tipperary were scrapped.

Diarmuid O’Flynn

ARGENTINA striker Hernan Crespo will get the chance to oust Didier Drogba from the main striking spot at Chelsea when he faces Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today.

RYAN GIGGS will be sidelined for at least six weeks after being forced to undergo surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have developed the right attitude just in time for tomorrow’s crunch Barclaycard Premiership clash with leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford.