The Oscars are heavily influenced by nostalgia this year.

Former Cork footballer Diarmuid Duggan, the player out of pocket by almost €7,000 due to medical costs, warned young GAA stars about the potential burnout problems they face by playing for too many teams whileeligible for the minor and U21 ranks.

James McClean last night expressed his delight after he was added to Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic game tomorrow week.

IF it was a surprise that GiovanniTrapattoni left James McClean outof his latest squad in the first place, then it’s perhaps an even bigger one that the manager has now suddenly decided to call up the in-form Sunderland winger for the friendly game against the Czech Republic on February 29.

A decision on a successor to Richard Hills as retained jockey to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is expected to be made soon.

A diagnosis of ASD is a start to dealing with the challenges that lie ahead, says Bernie Cahill

At the end of the week when Rangers and Portsmouth went into administration, is it sensible to question the prudent housekeeping of Arsene Wenger?

Whether it is what they should be judged on is open to argument but Liverpool continued their fine cup form by securing a place in the FA Cup quarter finals against Stoke with a routine victory over Brighton, partly thanks to three own goals by the Championship side.

Richard Hills has announced he will retire from race-riding next month after a career spanning 33 years.

Willie Mullins saddled a one-two in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan yesterday as Mourad, ridden by Paul Townend, turned over the Ruby Walsh-ridden 4/11 favourite Mikael D’Haguenet.

Stuart Lancaster was appointed England head coach after the crowd rose to acclaim him and his team for their Six Nations win over Ireland, RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie has confirmed.

Eddie O’Sullivan believes the position of Munster coach is one of the marquee roles in world rugby.

Donncha O’Callaghan will charge into action against arch rivals Leinster tomorrow night believing any provincial success would not make up for the disappointment of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.

The Republic of Ireland may be going into Euro 2012 as underdogs but according to Shay Given that suits the Boys in Green just fine.

If you had a setback in life like Simon Baker, you’d hope to react in a similar way; with a kick.

All the horses and the majority of trainers have now jetted in for tomorrow’s Dubai World Cup meeting, although Aidan O’Brien has yet to make the trip to the Gulf.

Mick Kinane and John Hammond led the tributes to Montjeu after one of the greatest racehorses of the modern era and the sire of three Epsom Derby winners died, aged 16, following a short illness.

MANY men are concerned about hair loss, but not everyone has the deep pockets of Wayne Rooney to seek a hair transplant.

A year ago Niall Breslin was relatively unknown, and was “in hell” struggling to finish his album. Today, thanks to The Voice of Ireland, he is a household name — and a sex symbol. Rachel Borrill on why men want to be him — and women want to be with him

Paul McGrath admits he is very concerned about Richard Dunne being fit enough to play for Ireland at the European Championship finals, and says that he is “desperate for him to be okay”.