The long and sometimes rocky road to Hollywood began in simple schoolboy settings for actor Michael Fassbender, 36, nominated for an Oscar tomorrow night for his role in 12 Years a Slave.

Accountants who act as whistleblowers in cases of corporate malfeasance or wrongdoing should be given specific protections as part of the Protected Disclosures Bill currently going through the Oireachtas, according to Chartered Accountants Ireland president Brendan Lenihan.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is expected to come under renewed pressure to apologise to two Garda whistleblowers after a “damning” Garda Inspectorate report criticises the cancellation of penalty points by members of the force.

Let’s all laugh at Tottenham

Joe Schmidt believes victory in France next Saturday and an RBS 6 Nations title in his first season in charge would represent an over-achievement for his Ireland side.

It is a tad rich Mick Wallace announcing Shatter should resign when, whoops, he has a history of tax issues

Three potential areas for Ireland to exploit

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The ovation that greeted Brian O’Driscoll at the Aviva Stadium yesterday came in jest from teammates, but the iconic rugby star is sure to receive a more heartfelt reception as he steps out on the same turf this afternoon for the last time in an Ireland jersey.

Tipperary 2-22 Clare 0-09

It was billed as the crunch game for Manchester United, a match that could define a season, if not even an era.

Chelsea 2 Galatasaray 0 (Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate)

Joe Schmidt has been building Ireland’s new dynasty of outside centres to replace Brian O’Driscoll for nine months.

1. Diarmuid Connolly is a top-class footballer

Johnny Sexton last night dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Ireland by confirming that he has no intention of cutting short his stay in France.

THREE of us who work in the community and voluntary sector went to Belfast the other night to meet a group that runs charities in Northern Ireland and to brief them about happenings in our sector in the Republic.

Ireland sealed the deal to claim only our second Six Nations title in dramatic fashion at Paris on Saturday night but the long-term benefits we will derive from winning a tight game will stand to this side.

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Utd's horrorshow rolls on, it's all about the result for Gunners and Blues seeing red over ref Foy.

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