MANCHESTER UNITED will avoid the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Valencia and finish top of Group C; but, as so often this season, it is hard not to feel a little underwhelmed.

MEET the musicians who are going to new heights to lift the nations’ spirit on budget day.

SO now we know: nice guys don’t just finish last — sometimes they don’t get to finish at all.

ARMAGH secretary Patrick Óg Nugent has warned that a shortage of referees could prevent the Orchard county completing its league programme in 2011.

TONY McGahan is a master of keeping his feelings to himself.

THE WikiLeaks highlights make great reading, though strangely enough most of the information is no surprise to the public and no doubt to countries diplomatic services.

WASPS director of rugby Tony Hanks was delighted with the pay-off for the hard work which ensured yesterday’s Heineken Cup clash with Newport Gwent Dragons went ahead.

He has served his county well, but next Saturday Liam Sheedy will savour his special Christmas Day treat more than usual. John Fogarty explains.

I MUST admit the last few weeks had blunted my enthusiasm temporarily. It wasn’t the results as such —a football fan needs to be able to take losing or a bad run of form – it was everything else.

KERRY boss Jack O’Connor believes the GAA Congress is not the forum for adopting changes to playing rules.

CORK dual star Mary O’Connor kicked five points as Inch Rovers were crowned Tesco All-Ireland Ladies senior club football champions for the very first time yesterday.

The Irish whistleblower central to the downfall of Lance Armstrong has written a new book with a foreword by none other than the disgraced former cycling professional himself.

BROADCASTER Andy Kershaw was first contracted to write his memoirs in 1991.

Netherlands 2 Mexico 1

There is something special about being the best, and the weight of expectation that accompanies it.

It wasn’t very long after Galway and Kilkenny had fought out their dramatic draw yesterday week when we got word in Tullamore that the replay wouldn’t be televised.

Dan Shanahan returned to action last night, but not for Lismore.

Munster 2-14 Leinster 4-15