It is no coincidence that Chelsea’s dip in Premiership form coincided with the absence of the injured Damien Duff. Now back to fitness, Duff is ready for the pivotal months of the season. He spoke to Bill George.

ALTHOUGH disappointed at failing to make the best of the favourable early morning conditions, Paul McGinley goes into the final two rounds of the US PGA at Whistling Straits on one under par.

BOBBY CHARLTON has apologised to the Glazer brothers for having to run the gauntlet of angry Man United fans at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

IF the tickets are as rare as they say they are, then the discerning hurling fans of Cork and Waterford are obviously anticipating a classic Munster final in Thurles tomorrow.

GREG DYKE was effectively sacked as BBC director-general in the wake of the Hutton Report, he revealed yesterday.

LONG, difficult golf courses never bothered Darren Clarke. But a three week lay-off from competitive action is another thing — and that’s why he feels “a little rusty” for this US PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

St Flannan's 1-11 Kilkenny CBS 0-13

PRESSURE group Fathers 4 Justice clashed angrily with police yesterday as one of its notorious activists was arrested before its demonstration even began.

West Brom 2 Portsmouth 0

FOUR years ago, after a bitterly-fought election campaign that led to 36 days of uncertainty, George W Bush was declared US President by the tiny winning margin of 572 votes.

Cork 1-18 Limerick 2-12

Manchester United 4 Fulham 2

ALL eyes will settle on Newbridge this Sunday as Rathnew and Dunshaughlin commence a new chapter in their Leinster club championship history.

RAY BURKE was given a clean bill of health by the Garda Commissioner, prior to his appointment to the cabinet in 1997, the Taoiseach said yesterday.

West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2

Newcastle 1 Sporting Lisbon 1

Ardfert 1-8 Erin’s Own 0-10

HARD questions must be asked - and answered - in the aftermath of the scathing report on the misguided butchery of women under the guise of responsible medicine at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.