Cheltenham 2 Stoke 3

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan launched a stern defence of Joey Barton after the controversial midfielder endured a hot reception on his return to action in today’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Arsenal.

Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0

Bolton 0 West Brom 0

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain will name the youngest and first female governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as his running mate today, US media reported.

Arsenal brushed aside the challenge of Steve McClaren’s FC Twente to secure a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League with a 4-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

Brazil’s struggles continued on Wednesday as a goalless draw with 10 man Bolivia in a South American World Cup qualifier increased the pressure on under-fire coach Dunga.

Montenegro 0 Republic of Ireland 0

Giovanni Trapattoni saluted his “wardrobe” after seeing the Republic of Ireland survive a concerted fightback to claim three more World Cup points with a 1-0 victory over Cyprus.

Republic of Ireland 1 Cyprus 0

Belarus 1 England 3

Tipperary referee Paddy Russell has said the announcement of his inter county retirement has nothing to do with the fallout from the controversy over Paul Galvin's sending off in the Munster Championship this season.

Almost 6,000 students from Munster gathered in Cork today to voice their united opposition to a re-introduction of third-level fees.

Two huge wildfires burned into neighbourhoods near Los Angeles last night, forcing frantic evacuations, destroying homes and causing at least two deaths.

England 5 Kazakhstan 1

Edinburgh 16 Leinster 27

Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Glasgow Warriors 22

Scotland 0 N Ireland 0

Aston Villa 4 Manchester City 2

Tyrone 3-14 Dublin 1-08