Davy Fitzgerald kept his charges in their dressing room for the best part of an hour after what could be a crucial home defeat.

Dublin Institute of Technology 3-08 University College Cork 0-07

Metalist Kharkiv 0Newcastle United 1(Newcastle win 1-0 on agg)

Like most sports journalists, this columnist served an apprenticeship that called for a frequent presence at games where press facilities amounted to a spot inside rather than outside the rails and the height of any literary ambition was being able to read your notes as the rain sent the ink trickling down the page.

Here we are, just short of three weeks since that must win opening game against Wales in the Six Nations and once again Ireland face more of the same — another can’t lose contest.

The GAA’s national match officials manager Pat Doherty says he has been given no reason to believe the organisation is facing a refereeing shortage.

A superb performance from UL Eagles star guard Rob Taylor helped his team to a crucial win in their top of the table Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague clash with UCC Demons.

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2

Now that the US President is safely returned to office, attention has quickly turned to that other ultra-magnified bastion of American culture: the Super Bowl.

Probably the biggest fixture in the world,” was how Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre described Manchester United v Liverpool shortly before kick-off at Old Trafford yesterday.

When Howard Webb blew the final whistle at Old Trafford the roar made it sound as if Manchester United had just beaten somebody big.

Heineken Cup Pool 5: Leinster V Scarlets

Size, naturally, depends on your perspective.

England 2 Brazil 1

Chris Huhne, former British minister, pleaded guilty on Feb 4 to perverting the course of justice by persuading his wife to accept penalty points on her driving licence for a speeding offence he had committed.

Mayo 0-15 Kerry 1-06

In the match programme at Elverys MacHale Park yesterday, Kerry’s Bryan Sheehan was asked what were his hopes for the future of Kerry football?

Fr Rocks 1-08 Charlestown 1-07

Women’s Superleague National Cup final

Favourite line on Ballboygate?