Kilkenny were not happy with James Owens’ interpretation of an aggressive foul on a number of occasions in the first half.

James McClean cried the tears of a nation, crumbling in front of the cameras just as his Republic of Ireland colleagues had collapsed on a night of abject misery at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland’s comprehensive 21-5 defeat to France at a rain-soaked UCD Bowl saw Tom Tierney’s side fail to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals last night.

An Garda Síochána are in meltdown with the ‘retirement’ of Nóirín O’Sullivan. Change seems to be near impossible in a police force compromised by their loyalty to one another. 

Con O’Callaghan was sitting in a substitute’s seat in the Hogan Stand last Sunday as Dean Rock prepared to kick the winning point for Dublin.

The up-market Peninsula House, at Lisheen outside of Skibbereen, is an unusual mix, says Tommy Barker.

The backdrop is often very different to the landscape you see.

The ovation that greeted Brian O’Driscoll at the Aviva Stadium yesterday came in jest from teammates, but the iconic rugby star is sure to receive a more heartfelt reception as he steps out on the same turf this afternoon for the last time in an Ireland jersey.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he has "no problem apologising" to whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe for the way the Government handled his warnings of garda malpractice.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is considering aborting his spying missions to Scottish grounds after being pelted with missiles during Saturday’s League Cup semi-final at Tynecastle.

Racing Santander’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad was suspended last night after the home players refused to play, having not been paid for several months.

A garda has told how she feared for her life as a speeding car with a 16-year-old youth at the wheel tried to mow her down when she was on foot patrol in Limerick.

Cork wing-back Tom Kenny believes that being short one man for the second half clearly affected the Leesiders’ performance in the punishing hot conditions in yesterday’s defeat to Limerick.

The whistleblower civil servant who alleges former senior politicians were engaged in tax evasion will not be allowed give evidence before the Public Accounts Committee, TDs have been told.

A string of successive ministers in one of the most influential departments in government failed to adequately act on information concerning tax evasion by well-known public figures, according to potentially "explosive" claims made by a whistleblower.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has no doubt team-mate Mario Balotelli is one of the best players in the world and is backing the striker to go on a scoring run following his goal in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup win over Swansea.

Cork native Billy Clarke is eyeing a double Wembley trip after helping Bradford City dump Chelsea out of the FA Cup at the weekend.

It’s something that veteran Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony has yet to figure out — how his eye fell on a young fan in the crowd just minutes after his team’s victory in the recent All-Ireland final. 

If you’re on a quest for a new place to get Legolas, pack your Baggins and head west to the rolling green hills of Kerry, where a Lord of the Rings- themed pub has opened its doors — and you don’t need an elfish password to enter.

Manchester United will today reveal the first definitive figures on the financial cost of missing out on the Champions League.