“THIS community has had more than its fair share of tragedy, so people really don’t know what to do any more.”

SIMON RAIWALUI, the Saracens and Fijian lock, captain of the Pacific Islanders, will be forever grateful for the opportunity to play against Wales, Scotland and Ireland on a whistle-stop tour of northern Europe.

NEWCASTLE claimed a fine 1-0 win in Palermo to move to within touching distance of a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

SO where does the true Ireland lie after a clinical and superbly-drilled performance against an under-strength South Africa?

THE story of Munster’s march on Europe is familiar to us all. It has been captured through the medium of print, radio, television and most recently three specific books.

DESPITE giving an admirable account of themselves, Shelbourne, the former giants of Irish football, couldn’t turn giant killers at Tolka Park, as a first half Roy O’Donovan penalty was enough to see Cork City through to the next round of the FAI Ford Cup.

THE last time Croke Park witnessed something as suddenly and as shockingly disappointing as this, on as grand a scale, was when Meath defender Kevin Foley came surging upfield to crash a last-minute goal to the Dublin net to tie up a game that had looked all over in their epic Leinster championship encounter of 1991.

AN HOUR after the final whistle in Geneva yesterday, the Munster front row emerged from their dressing room, and what a sight. Marcus Horan, Frankie Sheahan, John Hayes, all looked like they’d just gone 15 rounds with a young Muhammad Ali.

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard hinted he would be staying with Liverpool. The England midfielder’s Liverpool future has been in doubt, with Chelsea and Real Madrid reportedly interested in signing him.

OIL prices and the fate of the dollar look like being two pot boilers in the weeks ahead.

CORK senior footballers will continue to sweat for at least another day before knowing whether they will be stripped of their Munster championship crown following the use of six substitutes in Sunday's provincial final against Tipperary.

BOOKMAKERS in the North and Britain have become more adventurous recently with their soccer betting.

Cork Constitution 27 UCD 27

AFTER the soul searching of recent weeks it’s good to note that some in high places believe we are doing one heck of a job.

Cork City 1, Derry City 0