Geordan Murphy will start Ireland’s final World Cup warm-up trying to put a four-year-old heartbreak to the back of his mind.

Southend continued their remarkable Coca-Cola Championship revival as QPR crashed to an eighth straight away defeat at Roots Hall.

Tottenham 0 Norwich 0

Sheffield United 2 Leeds 0

London Irish 18 Harlequins 12

The Donegal publican framed for a murder that never was today hit out at a decision to transfer five gardaí named in damning Morris Tribunal reports to Dublin.

The great musical legacy of Sean O’Riada will live on for many generations to come, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today as he received the entire O’Riada collection on behalf of the nation.

Fulham face the toughest test of their recent revival when they face Premiership leaders Chelsea in the west London derby tomorrow – but they are ready for a battle.

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie has predicted Louis Saha will ’get a bucketload’ now the Frenchman has broken his six-month goalscoring duck – and that could be bad news for Newcastle and Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has admitted Manchester United deserve their place in the Carling Cup semi-finals – but he does not think much of the tactics used to win it.

Carlow 0-7 Limerick 2-15

Harry Redknapp will hold talks with under-fire Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe before deciding whether to retire from football – or try to bring the Saints back up to the Barclays Premiership.

Celtic tonight vowed to track down the supporter responsible for hitting Fernando Ricksen with an object during Rangers’ 2-0 Old Firm victory.

Ireland 19 Italy 3

If yesterday was filled with the sound of Australians munching on humble pie, today the newspapers Down Under buried over a century of fierce sporting rivalry to herald England as deserving world champions.

A dramatic injury time goal by Motherwell defender Martyn Corrigan gave the Lanarkshire men a well deserved share of the spoils against Dunfermline at Fir Park.

Arsenal are hoping to avoid yet another Football Association investigation after a tunnel scuffle broke out at half-time in the victory over Aston Villa which took them to the top of the table.

Celtic managed to hold on for the three Bank of Scotland Premier League points at Firhill – despite a spirited display from Partick.

Millwall 0 Tranmere 0

Birmingham 2 Bolton 0