Eddie O’Sullivan refused to blame fixture scheduling for Ireland’s heart-breaking failure to win the RBS 6 Nations as France were crowned champions by the narrowest of margins.

Germany 1 Poland 0

Transexual housemate Sam was evicted from the Big Brother house tonight making way for a new golden housemate.

Poland 0 Ecuador 2

Department store chain House of Fraser today looked set to join the Baugur portfolio after reportedly backing a £356m (€519.2m) takeover approach.

The Kildare County Board will take their case to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) after they had their appeal against the Leinster Council's decision to award Offaly a win in the Leinster SFC quarter-final turned down by the GAA's Central Appeals Committee (CAC) last night.

Mark Viduka has condemned the critics who have labelled Australia as over-aggressive.

Carlow 0-12 Meath 1-17

Alan Kerins banged in four goals as Galway got their All-Ireland SHC qualifier campaign off to a thrilling start in Portlaoise.

Holland 2 Ivory Coast 1

The Munster SFC final will be replayed next Sunday after James Masters landed a 70th-minute free to earn Cork a 0-10 to 0-10 draw with Kerry in Killarney.

Leading fashion chain Oasis' summer sale was on ice today while its owner held out for some of the business lost to poor weather earlier in the year.

Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0 (aet, Ukraine qualify 3-0 on penalties)

Ireland is failing to live up to its international obligations on tackling corruption, according to the latest analysis published by Transparency International.

John Harris claimed his first professional tournament victory when winning the Commerce Bank Championship on the first play-off hole in New York.

An increase in business travellers helped Sir Richard Branson’s airline, Virgin Atlantic, record soaring profits last year, it was announced today.

Space shuttle Discovery and its crew of six returned to Earth through overcast skies today, ending a successful US mission that put Nasa back in the space station construction business.

Dublin 1-15 Offaly 0-9

A heartbroken Michael Essien slammed German referee Markus Merk for a “ridiculous” early booking which will keep the Chelsea star out of Ghana’s second-round clash with Brazil.

Australia coach Guus Hiddink described his team as ’lion-hearts’ after they twice came from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Croatia and qualify for the second round of the World Cup.