The European Commission has launched an action plan for the online gambling market across the region and warned that if it does not achieve its objective, the EU will consider binding legislation.

Paul Lambert insists focusing on the need for Aston Villa to defeat his former club Norwich will be his top priority after his acrimonious summer departure from Carrow Road.

Derry football boss John Brennan has slammed Paddy Bradley’s controversial comments in the wake of their qualifier defeat to Longford.

Dublin Airport’s arrivals hall has been the scene of many a triumphant homecoming for Irish sporting stars and fuelled the dreams of future generations of icons, and yesterday, it saw a few more march through.

De La Salle manager Derek McGrath was a relieved man at the final whistle in Sixmilebridge, but he could also feel justified.

The Armagh County Board were yesterday forced to admit their description of racist abuse allegations in Portlaoise last Sunday was erroneous.

Brian Cody and the Kilkenny County Board have apologised to Anthony Daly and the Dublin County Board for the unprovoked attack by a patron on the Clare native at Nowlan Park on Sunday.

UL Eagles double dream remains on track following their emphatic 85-57 win over UCC Demons in the Nivea Men’s SuperLeague semi-final at the Mardyke Arena yesterday.

As if on cue, the sun broke through just as the March for Marriage came to a halt outside the shut Department of Justice.

IRELAND is set to return to the short-term bond markets this year, ahead of a planned resumption of auctioning long-term debt sometime in 2013.

Mayo manager James Horan made a guarded warning to Cavan referee Joe McQuillan not to use his association with the Dublin squad against his side in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

It’s not often someone steals the limelight from The Boss, but one six-year-old from Dublin managed just that.

KEN HOGAN was already thinking of the All-Ireland semi-final at the final whistle in Nowlan Park yesterday.

GALWAY UNITED registered their first point since April, but manager Sean Connor is still on the verge of leaving Terryland.

PETER McDERMOTT, pictured, a star of Meath’s first All-Ireland SFC triumph in 1949, passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

THE whistle-blower who exposed Tallaght Hospital’s x-ray scandal has claimed delays in making key management changes called for by reviews into the crisis are continuing to damage the facility.

THE head of one of the country’s most powerful trade unions has written to all TDs in a bid to stem criticism of the extent of savings made under the Croke Park Agreement.

Referees in Wexford have fired the first shot across the GAA’s bows in relation to the new expenses structure.

A RELAXED looking Minister Micheál Martin was at home with family and close political friends yesterday as most commentators were caught up in the will he? won’t he? mount a leadership challenge debate.

WICKLOW moved top of Division 3A, level on points with Derry after the Garden County’s 1-15 to 1-14 win over London at Ruislip yesterday.