Stoke City 0 Liverpool 3: It was not always pretty and certainly not lacking controversy, but Liverpool left Stoke City with a victory that looked routine, even if much of the game told a different story.

The Government has written to the Defence Forces to demand a serving member who raised health and safety concerns within the Air Corps be protected under whistleblowers’ legislation.

Vicar Street, Dublin

Frances Fitzgerald’s May 2015 McCabe scandal defence was last night left in tatters after new Department of Justice files showed that she was fully aware of “aggressive” tribunal attacks against the whistle-blower — and that her officials actively liaised with then-Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan on how to avoid July 2015 media questions on the issue.

As the country teeters on the precipice of a snap election over the mistreatment of whistleblower Maurice McCabe, another man who spoke up about wrongs within the public service is facing the sack from the Defence Forces — without a whisper from the majority of the political class.

Tom Brady tossed four touchdown passes — including two to Rob Gronkowski — as the New England Patriots pushed through injuries and a mistake-filled game for a 35-17 victory over the sliding Miami Dolphins.

Those who insist there is no such thing as a ‘friendly’ in Test rugby found their argument undermined on Saturday as a stadium slumbered and two teams went about their largely bloodless and perfunctory business.

Huddersfield 1 Man City 2: Pep Guardiola was delighted after watching his Manchester City side beat Huddersfield 2-1 to extend their winning streak to 18 games but he knows the run will not last forever.

A mother who had fostered a child for more than 10 years was falsely accused by the HSE of facilitating his access to pornography in the family home, an investigation by the Irish Examiner has learned.

Ireland 28 Argentina 19: Another Guinness Series in the books, a handful of new Ireland caps and three satisfying if not perfect victories for Joe Schmidt to ponder before he gets his players back to build for the 2018 Six Nations.

What a wonderfully creative country for self-exoneration with a perpetual penchant for self-forgiveness against all the odds and evidence. Wiping the slate clean is seemingly where it’s at — no need for any awkward dallying in the sanction or discipline zone. No thank you, sir.

Fine Gael supporters will this weekend rally around embattled Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and encourage her to remain on, as the Government fights off the possibility of a snap election.

UCC 1-19 - CORK IT 0-12: UCC’s class was always going to be the telling factor. And so it proved, even if it took a little longer than expected to boil to the surface.

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) officials, including board chairman and former England international Simon Halliday, congregated in the tunnel outside the palatial dressing rooms at the U Arena and had every reason to be pleased with themselves.

In early 2015, Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan was doing her best for the turbulent cop who had blown the whistle on malpractice in the force.

Munster left Paris last night disappointed at the lost opportunity to secure a place in the last eight but knowing their Champions Cup destiny is still in their own hands.

Interpretation can be a wonderful thing, it has the ability to decipher and unite in the form of

Peter Jackson discusses ’What’s Hot and What’s Not’ in this weekend’s review. 

The positive spin on all things Irish rugby continued unabated this weekend with all three Irish provinces sitting pretty on top of their respective Champions Cup pools heading into the final week of action, despite the fact that Munster came up just short in a captivating game against Racing 92 in Paris.

Racing 92 star Yannick Nyanga admitted his side might not have beaten Munster without the presence of Donnacha Ryan.