Aaron Lennon has launched a staunch defence of his decision to pull out of Tottenham’s game against Real Madrid last night.

The Football Association will confirm whether Wayne Rooney will be free to face Manchester City in this month’s FA Cup semi-final at 10am tomorrow morning.

Katy Perry is proud of her "substantial" lyrics. The 25-year-old singer said although there is a fun side to her songs - such as the tongue-in-cheek ‘I Kissed a Girl’ - she is glad to have also penned more meaningful tracks, such as 'Firework'.

Real Madrid 4 Tottenham 0

The Government has dismissed reports that US President Barack Obama will spend just five hours in Ireland.

Carlow 0-10 Wexford 4-12

Laois 2-16 Tipperary 0-11

London 0-15 Fermanagh 0-09

Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has publicly re-iterated his support for under-pressure manager Gerard Houllier.

Dublin City University won the prestigious O’Connor Cup for a third successive year in dramatic fashion at blustery University of Limerick this afternoon.

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2

Defender Dorin Goian scored the only goal as Palermo shocked Serie A leaders AC Milan to win 1-0 in the San Siro.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his team’s 2-2 draw at West Brom was two points dropped in the Barclays Premier League title race – but insisted it was an important one gained for the players psychologically.

Ireland 24 England 8

Wigan 2 Birmingham 1

Aston Villa 0 Wolves 1

Ipswich 2 Scunthorpe 0

Brian O'Driscoll has repeated Ireland's mantra that the team is close to producing a special performance.

Glasgow 25 Treviso 17

Germany will be without captain Philipp Lahm and Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira for their friendly against Australia on Tuesday.