MASSIVE amounts of money has been spent on the Irish squad, not least over the past few weeks as they luxuriated in the delightful surroundings of Carton House in leafy County Kildare.

MUNSTER’S ongoing front-row injury problems have ensured John Hayes’ glittering career with the province will be further extended, after he was named in their Heineken Cup squad for the 2011/’12 season last night.

BRAZIL’S 2014 World Cup will see potential travel trauma for fans — and the latest kick-off times ever for a finals tournament, with matches starting as late as 10pm, or 2am in Ireland.

EVENTING IRELAND (EI) chairman John Wright yesterday revealed that the organisation’s membership has dropped by almost 40% in just three years.

AT a time when consumers closely watch every expense, the simple joy of a daily cup of coffee remains undimmed even in difficult economic times.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry today named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against France at Eden Park.

THE All Blacks need to dump the throat-slitting gesture at the end of the Kapa O Pango haka as it reminds people the “Maoris (sic) once engaged in unspeakable conduct”, according to an Australian commentator.

RORY McILROY is now facing a serious 2012 scheduling dilemma with the official release of next year’s PGA Tour schedule.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL is backing Sergio Garcia to be part of his Ryder Cup team next September on the course where he became a world star.

LAST Sunday at Crosshaven more than 70 boats participated in the Autumn Series, Whitesail 1 and Whitesail 2 together with Classes 3 and 4 raced in the harbour.

FOOTBALL Player of the Year nominee Darran O’Sullivan believes the GAA should have helped those caught in a club versus country tug-of-war due to the International Rules series.

MUNSTER’S new signing, Will Chambers, and scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will both see game time for the Munster A team in the Sportsground, Galway, today against Connacht (kick-off 2pm).

WALES coach Warren Gatland is unlikely to face an International Rugby Board (IRB) investigation following his controversial comments about faking injury.

DRAMA seems to follow this French team like a bad smell. It’s not enough that manager Marc Lievremont has blasted his players, and the players ignore his every public word.

IRELAND, England, Wales and Scotland’s players have been snubbed by the IRB for the Player of the Year award.

THERE is a real spring in Michael Hoey’s step ahead of tomorrow’s Castellon Masters with the latest Irish winner on Tour targeting a return next April to Augusta National on the 10th anniversary of his only Masters appearance.

IS IT possible that the Tinkerman will have the last laugh?

WILL CARLING has branded certain England players’ behaviour during the World Cup as “an insult to the shirt”.

THE International Rugby Board is to review Warren Gatland’s claim he considered cheating in Wales’ defeat by France in the World Cup semi-finals.

ON Monday, for the first time in 16 years, New Zealanders woke up looking forward to a Rugby World Cup final.