Niamh Fahey doesn’t take unnecessary risks, so when she quit a full-time job to pursue a dream of being a professional footballer it was a calculated move.

Listening to the Cork lads as the great inquest drags on, more melancholic by the day, you can’t help but feel a small bit sorry for them.

Well after a glorious week, it finally came. Rain and in biblical proportions.

The menu would think nothing saddling up Neidín and travelling to Cavan and back for a taste of Silke Cropp’s Corleggy Cheese alone but throw in the Taste of Cavan 2015 food festival (Aug 7-8) and he’d be near tempted to shoulder the bould Neidín himself.

The civilised Halden prison in Norway prepares inmates for life after jail, writes Jessica Benko

Ireland eventing manager Nick Turner believes “there’s a lot to look forward to”, as he announced his squad for September’s European Championships at Blair Castle, Scotland.

David Luiz still regards Angel di Maria as one of the best footballers on the planet and is looking forward to playing alongside him once he completes his transfer from Manchester United to Paris St Germain.

Toyota’s new robot that glides around like R2-D2 is devoted to a single task — picking things up.

Broadcasting legend Peter O’Sullevan, who has died at the age of 97, was the man who provided the soundtrack to racing’s unfolding drama for nigh on 50 years.

Ireland forwards Peter O’Mahony and Mike Ross have backed pack-mate Cian Healy to pass fit for the World Cup campaign beginning in eight weeks.

Shane Jennings believes that Iain Henderson’s form, combined with Peter O’Mahony’s injury profile, may see the younger Ulster man leapfrog the Munster flanker into Joe Schmidt’s starting side for the World Cup.

One of the most exquisitely gifted football players of his generation, Fifa presidential candidate Michel Platini likes to portray himself as an old-fashioned romantic with a mission to maintain the game’s purity.

Futility (noun): Uselessness, meaninglessness, pointlessness, worthlessness, emptiness, aimlessness.

The Guinness Galway Hurdle is the feature on day four of the Galway Festival and favourite Quick Jack should take a world of beating.

After last year’s feast, the famine…

Louis van Gaal gave hope to Manchester United fans when he said he was optimistic about the chances of David de Gea staying at Old Trafford.

Clare/Limerick manager Davy Fitzgerald/ TJ Ryan was under increasing pressure last night in the wake of last Sunday’s Munster championship exit. 

Glasgow 16 Ulster 14: Glasgow left it late to book a place in the Guinness Pro12 final after a nail-biting 16-14 win over Ulster at Scotstoun.

A word of warning for Anthony Foley and his crew in advance of today’s Guinness Pro12 semi final at Thomond Park – Ospreys don’t much care about reputation or about location.

Someday someone will do a feature, perhaps even a book on the 10 greatest hurling matches ever played.