SO what was your first thought when you heard the news that David Villa had broken his leg in Yokahama? Poor chap, what an awful blow and, at first, it all looked so innocuous too?

The future of Europe is in the hands of one painfully private leader. What does the Geman chancellor really think? Roger Boyes reports

AT THE end of a heartwarming season there was, sadly, nothing but cold comfort for Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on a night when, despite a comfortable 4-0 four-nil win for Spurs, both teams bowed out of the Europa League — and, of more significance for the home side, Michael O’Neill took his own final bow as manager of the Hoops.

VLADIMIR PUTIN’S ruling party suffered a big drop in support in a parliamentary election yesterday and was not certain even of holding on to a majority of seats, an exit poll showed.

RIVERS had been hushed and the countryside burnt brown by the three-week heatwave that showed no sign of easing its fiery grip.

MICHAEL Woodford, who was fired as chief executive of Japanese camera and medical equipment company Olympus after blowing the whistle on dubious spending, is now resigning from the board.

Fred and Beryl Overty are a Christmas institution in Killarney.

AN Irishman hit the headlines in Kiev yesterday but enough about Sean Quinn — the real story arrives today when Giovanni Trapattoni lands at Boryspil Airport just outside town.

HE’S not going to go all Roy about the medal.

DUBLIN will have to start the defence of their Division 1 league title next season as strongly as 2011 to retain their top-flight status, according to county back Peter Kelly.

MANAGER Steve Kean looks doomed as Blackburn hit rock bottom of the Premier League last night following a calamitous loss to Bolton at Ewood Park.

MENTION Westport and winter doesn’t spring to mind.

I HAVE travelled the road to Castletownbere en route to the Bere Island ferry many times over the last few months, and the sudden stunning vistas were never as striking as on the eve of winter solstice.

TOTTENHAM moved to within three points of second-placed Manchester United after Jermain Defoe finally broke through West Brom’s stubborn resistance with a second-half winner at White Hart Lane.

IF there’s something more shocking than realising someone you knew has just passed away, it’s learning they passed away some weeks ago.

THE omens were not promising for Sunderland yesterday when boss Martin O’Neill was forced to do without goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, defenders Phil Bardsley and Titus Bramble and midfielder Kieran Richardson.

WAYNE ROONEY’S two goals offered a short, sharp response to those pundits who believe he could be on his way out of Old Trafford due to differences with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

AROUND this time every year it’s difficult to escape the various sporting lists of ‘ones to watch’ for the next 12 months.

JON Kenny in his famous D’Unbelievables sketch immortalised the stereotypical GAA club manager.

CRESCENT COLLEGE Comprehensive won the Bowen Shield after a seven-year gap with an exciting victory over PBC in an epic contest at Temple Hill.