Systems within An Garda Síochána are not providing members with the security needed to make protected disclosures, said president of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, Antoinette Cunningham.

Jermain Defoe has warned Sunderland they cannot allow their barren run to continue for much longer if they are to avoid another survival scrap.

The former World Cup final whistler has been handed a new role as performance director for England’s professional referees.

CORK substitute Paudie O’Sullivan was disappointed at the final whistle on Saturday but paid tribute to Waterford on their win.

FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson hopes the injury which Damien Duff picked up during Wednesday night’s defeat against Stoke will not rule him out of next week’s Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

HUGE suspensions, including a two-year ban, have been handed down to members of the Carrick Swan club in Tipperary following an alleged assault on a referee last weekend.

EDWIN van der Sar left Sunderland bemoaning more dropped points having spared Manchester United further pain.

ALAN KEANE saved Sligo Rovers blushes with a goal from the penalty spot a minute from time at the Showgrounds last night after substitute Eoin Doyle was brought down in the box.

THEY don’t own the copyright on sporting drama in Meath but they might want to consider a visit to the patents office after a county football final that brought down the curtain on a memorable season.

US OPEN champion Graeme McDowell admits he is rusty after a month-long break but hopes to tune up for next month’s Ryder Cup with a good performance this week.

TOTTENHAM defender Michael Dawson plans to give Young Boys a taste of their own medicine in next week’s must-win Champions League showdown at White Hart Lane.

THE European Commission has been urged to tackle the problem of those who rely on the major supermarkets to sell their produce, but who have no power to influence the price or conditions of trade.

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.

ROWAN WILLIAMS formally began his tenure as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday with an enthronement sermon urging tolerance.

STEPHEN Carr will not be subject to a Football Association investigation despite his confrontation with a ball--boy at the end of Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Blackburn on Saturday.

THOUSANDS of Irish emigrants in Britain and overseas will lose access to RTÉ radio coverage of Irish sport if new plans by the national broadcaster go ahead.