The fact remains that this is a club with a default setting of one step forward followed by two back, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Stars like Andre Schurrle helped Chelsea earn more than $1 million from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny deserves his place as Arsenal number one, according to double winner Bob Wilson.

A nutrition course targeting the toxic fat around the waist is not a diet but a way of living, says Clodagh Finn.

Jonjo O’Neill finally broke free of his mid-winter lull as Rose Revived supplied him with his first winner since mid-November in the closing bumper at Ludlow.

The world of golf is looking for a player to step up to the plate and challenge Rory McIlroy for supremacy this year and that certain someone could be Tiger Woods, said Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

The golf seasons tend to merge into each other these days, so much so that this week’s first European Tour event of 2015 is actually the third of the 2015 season, writes Phil Casey.

Manchester United are set to announce the signing of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract.

Munster’s position as one of European rugby’s movers and shakers came under renewed pressure yesterday as the province lost its fight to keep rising homegrown star JJ Hanrahan.

Leinster’s Champions Cup planning has been thrown into some disarray after Jack McGrath was suspended for the final two pool games.

Simon Zebo is looking for a strong showing with Munster this New Year to maintain his hold on Ireland’s number 11 jersey heading into what he calls a "massive year" for Irish rugby.

Jezki remains on course for another clash with great rival Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown on January 25.

Veteran broadcaster George Hook is set to pocket over €900,000 from the voluntary wind-up of his media firm.

Fifa Puskas Award contender Stephanie Roche is to leave her French club after a six-month spell.

Now, if the world’s coming to an end, it’s unlikely you’ll be sitting around watching CNN.

FA Cup Third Round:

Miguel Angel Jimenez will look to get over the disappointment of not being chosen as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain by extending his own record as the European Tour’s oldest winner in the Hero Indian Open.

It did not need George O’Grady to tell us it is Darren Clarke’s time to captain Europe at the Ryder Cup, writes Simon Lewis.

It was a baptism of fire for the Irish Women’s 4k Team Pursuit squad in their debut at the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in Paris yesterday as they finished last of 16 teams in qualifying.

Darren Clarke admits his lack of experience as a skipper will leave him heading into the unknown at Hazeltine in 19 months’ time.