LOUTH forward JP Rooney admits he had little sympathy for under-fire referee Martin Sludden as he was bundled out of Croke Park last Sunday.

ALEX FERGUSON has played down fears about Wayne Rooney’s fitness ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

LEEDS United boss Simon Grayson paid tribute to his players after they came from behind to beat Bristol Rovers and clinch promotion to the Championship on Saturday.

IT’S ALWAYS hard to lose a game, but to lose to arguably the worst Liverpool side for decades (with only a couple of players excused from that description) is depressing.

AS A measure of the progress of the Waterford footballers, their post-match reaction in the Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon was instructive.

THE handpass rule may not have dominated the headlines in the Fraher Field yesterday but refereeing decisions still dominated post-match discussion.

DIDIER DROGBA provided a frank assessment of Chelsea’s Champions League exit and is only hopeful there is more to come from the current squad in the competition.

There were no manic celebrations. In fact, Jose Mourinho disappeared down the tunnel before the final whistle.

BEWARE the Ides of March?

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS got their Magners League season off to a flying start with a three-try victory over a poor Ulster at Rodney Parade.

LONG after the final whistle, Clare manager John Minogue was still struggling for words.

MICKEY HARTE admitted to be highly relieved in the aftermath of yesterday’s gripping All-Ireland quarter-final and Tyrone captain Brian Dooher had no hesitation in singing from the same hymn sheet in the post match interviews.

TWELVE months ago Kilkenny ousted Tipperary by eight points in the All-Ireland MHC semi-final and all the signs point to a repeat when the sides convene for another minor hurling showdown in Croke Park tomorrow at noon.

DUBLIN footballers Ciarán Whelan and Denis Bastick may face disciplinary action arising out of two separate second-half incidents in Monday’s shattering All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Kerry.

ARE Tipperary the new Waterford? On their day, and for several years, Waterford were the most attractive team in hurling, the most flamboyant.

WITH half time approaching in last week’s drawn Leinster MFC final, Dublin looked certainties to win their 29th title at this level and first since 2003.

FINANCIAL Regulator Matthew Elderfield has warned of the need for caution on how we treat bond holders in the banks.

GALWAY skipper Michael Meehan has been ruled out of Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Wexford and could face several weeks on the sideline.

YOU could sense that unmistakable surge of hope when the fourth official held up the board indicating an additional five minutes of injury time on Saturday.

BIRMINGHAM gained revenge for their weekend FA Cup exit against Portsmouth after sending the Premier League’s bottom club closer to relegation with a 2-1 triumph at Fratton Park.