NOW, I appreciate that, despite a couple of wins in five days at Croke Park, many of you retain reservations about the ability of Steve Staunton to lead the Republic.

IN THE aftermath of another heart-stopping victory, Cork boss Gerald McCarthy was sipping a cold drink, putting the swirl of events into some kind of order.

THE foreign press swirled around the wounded prey — they scented Brian Cowen’s political blood.

THE Thomond Park cocktail of the raucous and the polite gripped Limerick’s O’Connell Street during Saturday’s epic European Cup final.

AS Gordon D’Arcy makes a long awaited return to competitive rugby action, Ulster’s Bryn Cunningham will give his side another reason to beat Magners League champions Leinster at Ravenhill tonight (7.35pm).

ABSENCE is supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but clearly not in the case of Swansea and Cardiff.

VINCENT CLERC was hailed as Moses by team-mate Cedric Heymans following his three-try haul against Ireland.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN didn’t appear like someone whose job was on the line after another sub-standard display against a better, more cohesive France at the Stade de France last night.

ARSENAL captain William Gallas believes the Gunners’ new-found team spirit can see them challenge for honours again.

Celtic 0 Kilmarnock 0

IT WAS in 1967, as the beginnings of the Troubles were brewing in the North that Tommy Makem penned his trademark song Four Green Fields.

OF the weekend’s four All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals, this is the one everyone feels most confidence about calling.

LAWRIE SANCHEZ lamented the “usual drama at the Cottage” after claiming Fulham had been denied two precious points by poor refereeing.

THE crisis in the health service is set to deepen this week with nurses cranking up their fight for more pay and shorter working hours and Health Minister Mary Harney moving to recruit hundreds of specialists in a bid to break the grip of consultants over the system.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED manager Brian Laws is convinced Jose Mourinho will become a footballing legend like his old boss, Brian Clough.

KEVIN KEEGAN has called on soccer’s power-brokers to stop shirking their responsibilities and start protecting black players.