GARY CAHILL might remain a largely unknown figure outside Bolton, but his manager Gary Megson has backed him to “be ready for the World Cup” if chosen for next summer’s finals by England manager Fabio Capello.

WHATEVER happens this weekend, Brendan McVeigh will not be short of fireside stories for the grandchildren in his winter years.

CREDITORS of the Icelandic Landsbanki bank will get very little return on their investments after preferential shareholders are dealt with.

CORK hurler Ronan Curran says he and this teammates are looking forward to this year’s National Hurling League, having enjoyed a trouble-free preseason in comparison with previous years.

LIVERPOOL will play a waiting game with the fitness of a string of top stars, including Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, as they prepare for Monday’s home clash with Birmingham.

THE head of Norway’s refereeing union, Rune Pedersen, is confident Tom Henning Ovrebo, the referee blamed for Chelsea’s Champions League exit, will ride out the storm of criticism and not cave in to demands that he quit his job.

THE third episode of this year’s Dr Harty Cup final saga takes place at McDonagh Park, Nenagh today between Thurles CBS and Ardscoil Rís and, if it’s half as good as the two previous games, then hurling fans are in for another treat.

CORK manager Denis Walsh wasn’t long picking out the crucial period in yesterday’s Munster SHC quarter-final.

LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Morientes appears to have distanced himself from a possible move to Espanyol by insisting he is settled in England and prefers the Premiership to La Liga.

VIBRATING as naturally as the column of air in a saxophone, the audience in the ballroom at the epicentre of the Guinness Jazz Festival celebrated the sounds of a band named after a dildo.

IRISH referee Alan Lewis will take charge of the World Cup Pool B clash between France and Japan in Townsville after Australian official Scott Young injured a hamstring.

Ireland24

ALBANIA had no case because when Lee Carsley re-started the game with a throw-in the ball was turned all the way back to goalkeeper Shay Given.

Borders 15 Ulster 19

Birmingham 2 Southampton 1

TARA WHELAN’S remains have returned to her family home, to her heartbroken parents, brothers, sisters, niece and a shattered community.

Steaua Bucharest 1 Southampton 0 (Steaua win 2-1 on aggregate)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given UEFA the green light to take disciplinary action against Michael Essien for the Chelsea midfielder’s shocking foul on Liverpool’s Dietmar Hamann.

Scarborough 1 Southend 0