Wish you were ringing in the new year abroad? Ciara McDonnell has all the options for next year — direct from Cork.

From being banned from playing in the street leagues as a kid to captaining and managing her country, Sue Ronan has seen the landscape of the women’s game in Ireland change dramatically in her lifetime, but the FAI’s Head of Women’s Football tells Liam Mackey there are big challenges ahead.

Of all the signs and banners that have shot up along the Kildysart Road to celebrate the magical adventure of the local hurling team, the one by the Kellys’ front gate probably best encapsulates the boldness and historical nature of it.

Watford 1, Crystal Palace 1: One could hardly tell from the thunderous expression on his face at the full-time whistle, as his new charges at Crystal Palace were held by Watford, but big Sam Allardyce said he was “excited” to be back in the big time.

Munster 29, Leinster 17: Munster laid down a marker over their Guinness Pro12 title rivals as they saw off old enemies Leinster in style at Thomond Park.

Award-winning writer Eimear Ryan on the visceral feel of an All-Ireland success for Tipperary against Kilkenny.

Larry Ryan dons his Santa hat to dole out Christmas presents to the sporting world.

It’s very difficult to have any in-depth discussion on rugby when the thought of what’s important in life always overrides it, writes Ronan O’Gara

Chelsea 2 West Ham United 1: New season, same story. Diego Costa scored a late, late winner to get Antonio Conte’s reign off to a winning start, but controversy swirled round Stamford Bridge with unhappy West Ham supporters and staff claiming the Spain striker should have been sent off long before he put the ball into the net.

Back in Cleere’s on Saturday night two of the customers were looking remarkably fresh and spruce for chaps who’d been in Semple Stadium. 

Kilkenny 2-19 Waterford 2-17

Kilkenny 3-15 Galway 1-19 (AET)

Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4

Tramore in August, and heat rising up out of the ground like the breath of a snoring devil. The race meeting in the Waterford track usually takes place with the southeast riviera looking its best back down the hill, the long beach wheeling east, and it was the same last Thursday for the first evening of races.