A pristine, 200-year-old Georgian in an enclave on Cork’s Sunday’s Well has been lovingly restored by the vendors, says Tommy Barker

HE’S known play-off joy and play-off heartbreak and he’s experienced the highs and the lows of winning and losing at the finals of the World Cup but even after 11 years as Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper, there’s still a significant box that hasn’t been ticked in Shay Given’s packed cv.

MART POOM will be looking down on Ireland’s international footballers when they train in his hometown of Tallinn tonight.

MUNSTER head coach Tony McGahan has stressed the importance of both aggression and discipline ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener against Northampton Saints at Thomond Park.

KEVIN McLAUGHLIN hasn’t exactly got a wealth of experience when it comes to playing rugby in France but he has enough to know what to expect in Montpellier this Saturday.

ULSTER are still hoping to include 37-times capped Springbok utility back Stefan Terblanche in their match-day squad for Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener at Ravenhill against French giants Clermont Auvergne.

WORLD CUP: Former England captain Lewis Moody insists Martin Johnson is the right man to leadEngland to the 2015 World Cup.

YOU KNOW you’re in trouble when an interview starts with a list of questions that are off-limits.

THE International Rugby Board are considering altering their disciplinary procedures after finding themselves unable to take action over an allegation of foul play during last month’s World Cup final.

COLM MURPHY is happy with Big Zeb ahead of the Fortria Chase at Navan on Sunday.

THE enormity of what Leinster achieved in last season’s Heineken Cup can only be fully appreciated through the quality they dispatched on the way to lifting the trophy for the second time in three seasons.

HONDA’S human-shaped robot can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot and pour a drink.

NO surprises for guessing what subject has dominated the conversation among the Irish contingent at Craven Cottage recently.

TWO years on from Paris and Paul McShane admits the mental scars have yet to heal.

MUCH has changed around these parts since Raio Piiroja and Robbie Keane first met as young men a decade ago but not enough to make the Estonian captain forget his place at the world football table.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON admits “the Ryder Cup won’t happen for me” unless he plays well in key events.

YOU could picture the counting of months on the fingers of rugby fans throughout Ireland as the news broke that Brian O’Driscoll was to undergo shoulder surgery.

IT’S not something he wants to contemplate but Brian O’Driscoll admits he would have to consider retirement if next week’s operation to free a trapped nerve in his shoulder does not allow him to return to rugby and play free from pain.

ALL rational thinking suggests that only the Thomond Park factor can save Munster from a second Heineken Cup defeat at the venue when Northampton Saints come calling on Saturday.

COURTNEY Lawes believes Northampton Saints are finally up and running after a slow start to the new season and have the momentum to continue their winning ways in their Heineken Cup opener against Munster in Limerick on Saturday evening.