ECHOES resound of one of the biggest ever public health scandals following confirmation by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) that it is unable to discover how a woman developed hepatitis C last year after receiving three blood transfusions.

GERARD HOULLIER blasted the "outrageous" decision which cost Liverpool their European dream at the Stade Velodrome.

PAUL McGINLEY has yet to achieve his goal of getting back into the top 100 golfers in the world and so gain an invitation to next month's US PGA Championship in Wisconsin.

STICKING a microphone in John McIntyre’s face after the final whistle yesterday didn’t feel so much like kicking a man when he was down, more like robbing him of his wallet as he lay bruised in the gutter.

St. Brogan’s, Bandon 2-15 Coachford College 0-10

THE TURKISH FA has expressed their dismay at comments made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter regarding the violent scenes that marred Wednesday night's World Cup play-off against Switzerland in Istanbul.

BRAZILIAN trio Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Roberto Carlos have blamed Real Madrid fans for creating a tense atmosphere that has made it difficult for the team to play well in home matches.

Newcastle 1 Arsenal 1

Kerry 1-10 Limerick 1-10

IRISH rugby has experienced more than its fair share of low points. Forget a dark night of the soul, the men in green have been through enough black moments to put them back to back and form an annus horribilis.

KILKENNY star DJ Carey has continued to play down the significance of their crushing NHL final victory over Clare in Thurles.

This Christmas, many a greying football fan will be looking forward to some light reading. Michael Moynihan goes back to the football magazine that everyone grew up with for a Yuletide read.

Wicklow 4-9 Kerry 2-12

LABOUR’S Brendan Howlin yesterday expressed shock at reports gardaí sought access to his phone records after he highlighted corruption claims in the force.

THE rebel yell could be heard clear across Dublin yesterday as the Cork hordes came, conquered and watched in triumph as Ben O’Connor lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup.

A YEAR after Bishop Brendan Comiskey fell on his sword in a swirl of controversy the Government has announced the terms of reference of an inquiry into how exactly allegations of child sexual abuse were handled

WITH the dust settling on Cork's 30th All-Ireland hurling success, Michael Moynihan examines some of the ways in which the Leesiders put a Clive Woodward maxim into effect: