THE sheer effervescence of Raffaele Cretaro relieved the pressure around Dalymount Park as he scored twice to give the champions a morale-boosting win.

JAMES McCARTAN wore the look of a relieved man after the breathless finish to yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

YOU will have no problem identifying the Cork people in your vicinity today.

PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant admits it is becoming tough for his players to ignore the cash-strapped club’s off-the-field issues.

THERE was no romance in the FA Cup third round tie between Championship sides Ipswich and Blackpool as the latter were reduced to nine men and had manager Ian Holloway dismissed to the stands as they were beaten 2-1 on home turf.

IRELAND have been handed the keys to unlocking the Welsh defence from the unlikely source of a Yorkshireman working in France.

NO SOONER are we sure that our Premier League dance is done, than fate goes and gives Gooners reason to believe.

IT didn’t take long last year, just a few minutes after the final whistle and with the masses already breaking onto the sacred sod, before the announcement blared over the Croke Park tannoy system – ‘Gardaí and stewards, to Plan B please, Plan B!’.

DAVID COLDRICK is the surprise appointment to referee the All-Ireland senior football decider between Cork and Down in Croke Park on September 19.

THE jeers at the final whistle told its own story.

IT was a far cry from the carnival atmosphere and soaring temperatures of Rio for Brazilian football legend Socrates, who came out of retirement at the weekend for lowly Garforth Town.

Leeds United 2 Newcastle United 2

THOSE of us who rarely, if ever, have the chance of watching the world’s top players in action delighted in last night’s action at the Trilogy Tennis Challenge at the RDS.

Hibernian 2 Celtic 2

RUUD van Nistelrooy’s anger spilled over again in Tokyo last night as the Dutch striker was involved in a furious face-to-face row with Rio Ferdinand.

RANGERS and rivals Celtic are close to resolving their dispute with the 10 other clubs in the Scottish premier league (SPL), according to Rangers chairman John McLelland.

PHIL MICKELSON, relieved to be back in the winner's circle after a 19-month absence, believes a more positive approach will enhance his challenge at this year's majors.

THE first drop goal of his international career and what an important one!

EPI TAIONE of Sale Sharks has been cited by match commissioner Iain Goodall for an alleged biting incident in Saturday’s Heineken Cup game against Munster at Thomond Park.