Rugby star Claire Molloy must be one of the very few who is trying not to lose weight in January, writes Clodagh Finn.

Here's your morning news bulletin...

Playing for Ireland in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and winning trophies with Munster were the chief reasons why CJ Stander inked a new deal with the IRFU and turned down lucrative offers to continue his career abroad.

Can LeBron James lift a fourth NBA title and be compared to Michael Jordan as the sport’s GOAT, or will he lose in the finals for the sixth time? asks Kieran Shannon

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte does not want unhappy players bringing down the morale of the squad.

Jack McGrath became the latest victim of the painful Lions hangover when he was dropped by Joe Schmidt for Ireland’s autumn clashes with South Africa and Argentina.

The PGA Tour rings in the new year at Kapalua for the 20th straight time. The one moment that stands above all others over the years was the titanic battle between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in 2000.

Just in time for Christmas, the Belgian Competition Authority lobbed an unwelcome ‘present’ at both equestrian sport’s world governing body, the FEI, and the privately run Global Champions Tour/Global Champions League (GCT/GCL).

That drawn series was undoubtedly my rugby highlight of the year, writes Donal Lenihan

Colm Greaves peers into his crystal ball in search of tips and talking points for the year ahead

"Subs have been running roughshod all over the place, like a herd of buffalo".

Do you remember who said: “That five years as an electrician probably just grounded myself”?

Daniel Storey reviews the football year.

Sean Cronin has shipped a few blows lately.

The Irish football year was book-ended and overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Derry City skipper Ryan McBride and the young Shelbourne striker Izzy Desu, writes Liam Mackey.

Ireland won’t be part of the summer World Cup spectacle but there remains some burning issues for the game here in the year ahead.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits it was “not nice” shelling out £75m (€84m) for Virgil van Dijk but says he had little option in current market conditions.

A challenging 2017 for Irish golf demanded innovation on the course — and in the clubhouse. Kevin Markham canvassed nine clubs for their yearly report card.

There were many treats over the last four days in Ireland and Britain, but for me the biggest star to emerge was Willie Mullins’ Footpad in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Tuesday, writes Pat Keane.

This week I’m sharing my take on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2017.