He’s not on Twitter or Facebook, but John Jermyn can’t resist swiping his girlfriend Louise’s smartphone from time to time to see what his Irish international hockey team-mates are up to.

A decision on Kauto Star’s participation in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup will be made on Monday, owner Clive Smith said.

Ulster added another major piece to their set-up for next season when they announced the signing of New Zealander Mark Anscombe as head coach on a two-year contract.

Show jumpers buying into possible Olympic participation will be struck by Horse Sport Ireland’s selection criteria: Terms and conditions apply.

A row between a brother and sister at the bedside of their dying mother was revisited in court yesterday.

Richie McCaw does not expect to make a return to Super Rugby until at least April after undergoing foot surgery.

New Munster signing Casey Laulala described his move to Ireland as a ‘no brainer’.

The ripple effects of Ireland’s postponed date in Paris will spread beyond the national team and supporters with Leinster, Munster and Ulster’s preparations for the Heineken Cup likely to be altered as a result of the Stade de France debacle.

Australian playmaker Quade Cooper has finally found peace after a tumultuous World Cup campaign, which he believes suffered for over-analysis.

Mike Phillips believes Wales are “in a good place” as they prepare for a Triple Crown assault at Twickenham that could leave them two wins away from Grand Slam glory.

Football in Italy this winter has become as unpredictable as the weather, so unpredictable there are genuine doubts about which Milan team will face Arsenal tomorrow night.

Never apologise, never explain, so they say.

One of world’s foremost experts in pitch maintenance believes Saturday night’s Six Nations debacle at Stade de France could have been avoided.

Children attending a school in Limerick were overjoyed yesterday when French soccer star Patrick Vieira arrived at the school for an impromptu PE lesson.

Sligo show jumper Darragh Kerins was delighted with his second place in Saturday night’s $125,000 World Cup contest in Florida, considering the mare Lisona returned to action just three weeks ago after a year-and-a-half layoff.

Despite the insistence of Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald that the result of this Waterford Crystal Cup semi-final yesterday will be an “utter irrelevancy’’ when the counties meet in the June Munster championship semi-final, the Banner boss must have been impressed at the way his charges performed.

Derval O’Rourke had a grin of satisfaction after reclaiming her 60m hurdles title at the Woodies DIY Irish indoor championships at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast yesterday in 8.21 secs — modest by her standards.

The 20-year-old landed four penalties and a tough conversion, following Charlie Hodgson’s second charge-down try in as many weeks, as England rallied from 15-6 down to claim their second win of the championship.

All Black legend Jonah Lomu’s transplanted kidney has failed, forcing the giant to search for another kidney to survive.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell is hoping the Six Nations opt for a three-week delay to the weather-hit clash with France, preferring some precious time at home to a quick return to Paris this weekend.