WISER, more experienced and not exactly lacking in confidence - that is Portumna's approach to Sunday's AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-final against holders James Stephens in Semple Stadium.

DICK ADVOCAAT will allow himself a wry smile as he sets about the task of preparing for a Euro 2004 semi-final showdown with Portugal.

NATIONAL Irish bank has been hit with a total bill of €64 million after a devastating report revealed widespread tax evasion and overcharging at the bank.

KILMALEY, Clare’s newly crowned SHC champions, are aiming to continue the county’s incredible record in the Munster club campaign.

THE Leinster Council are to meet within the next 48 hours to determine if Offaly have forfeited their Leinster Championship victory by using one substitute too many in the three-point win over Kildare.

IT wasn’t exactly a classic and sometimes it was far from pretty...but if you’re from Munster, who cares?

St Patrick’s, Drumcondra 0-15 University of Limerick 0-19

WILL the real Neil Best please stand up? “I don’t really like fighting, people get injured and lose teeth. My dentist charges enough as it is, I don’t want to give him any more money!” he told RTE, on accepting his man-of-the-match award at the end of a bruising encounter yesterday.

THE Cowboys and the Jaguars worked overtime for NFL victories on Sunday.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry expects a “beauty” of a match when his fearsome All Blacks team take on France in the first of two autumn Tests this at Stade Gerland, Lyon this evening (8pm).

PETR CECH insists Chelsea’s bad attitude cost them three points at Fulham last season and he is determined not to let it happen again.