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.

TIPPERARY U-21 hurling coach Noel Sheehy is hoping that the seniors’ defeat by Kilkenny at the weekend won’t have a knock-on effect on his charges ahead of tonight’s Munster final replay against Limerick.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has demanded greater protection for goalkeepers after watching Jens Lehmann become embroiled in a spat with Southampton striker Kevin Phillips during Monday night’s 1-0 victory.

OLYMPIC gold medallist Cian O’Connor is innocent until proven otherwise, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urged yesterday.

Ardmore 0-12, Clashmore 0-9

SCOTLAND manager Berti Vogts has revealed that the surprise recall of international rookie Paul Dickov had been specifically designed to unsettle Holland’s most capped player of all-time.

Waterford 1-10 Leitrim 1-10

IF ever an Irish citizen could justly quote the lofty sentiments of Shakespeare’s Othello and say “I have done the State some service”, it was James Gogarty.