IT’S an understandable source of pride among the oval ball brigade that there is no such thing as a mere friendly in international rugby.

ALEX FERGUSON doubts whether he will sign any more players before Manchester United face their “noisy neighbours” in the Community Shield at Wembley next month.

THE last race at Galway tonight, the Caulfieldindustrial.com EBF Maiden, houses the safest wager in the shape of Dermot Weld’s Catch The Eye.

THIS is the week of which European Tour chief executive George O’Grady dare not dream, even as recently as two months ago.

IRISH tourism welcomes another exhilarating chapter in Irish golf as the Irish Open returns to Killarney, bringing golf to the heart of Irish tourism — as it is in the hearts of all sports fans throughout the country.

RAY McMANUS doesn’t dispute Seve Ballesteros and himself once exchanged some swords on Portmarnock GC but suggests the tale might have been embellished.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans hailed his side’s display after last week’s shock defeat to Samoa following their commanding 39-20 victory over South Africa last night.

THE currach is as identifiable with the green shores of Ireland as the harp, the shamrock and the IMF bailout.

THE IRFU announced contract extensions for Declan Kidney and three of his management team yesterday, which will see them remain in charge of the Irish team until the end of the 2012-13 season which coincides with the next British and Irish Lions Tour.

JAMES McGEE yesterday battled back from the precipice of a semi-final exit to pull off a remarkable victory in the Green Property Irish Men’s Open at the Fitzwilliam Club.

THE Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes is the feature event on the Knavesmire this afternoon and it looks an ideal opportunity for Henry Cecil’s Twice Over to rediscover some winning form.

IS it time to talk about a new bail-out for Ireland? I refer to the man, not the country, sorting out the former being by far the more taxing challenge.

All-Ireland Championship weighed in favour of losing teams? No way, says John Fogarty.

Mary Robinson’s presence in Africa this week focused world attention on the famine in Somalia, demonstrating the crucial role the famous play in highlighting the plight of the poor and dispossessed, says Georgina O’Halloran.

MICK McCARTHY yesterday celebrated five years at the helm with Wolves and revealed he would love to take the Republic of Ireland to another World Cup.

THE three southern hemisphere giants step up their World Cup preparations with the start of the Tri Nations this weekend — but the tournament is unlikely to prove an accurate guide as to who will lift the William Webb Ellis trophy in Auckland in October.

GETTING dropped was a new experience for Luke Fitzgerald last season and it’s not one he wants to repeat.

NEW ZEALAND are determined to avoid an upset like that suffered by Australia last week when they get their season underway in a test against Fiji in Dunedin this morning.

ASHLEY YOUNG says the decision to quit Aston Villa for Manchester United was a “no-brainer”.

VALENCIA winger Juan Mata has distanced himself from a move to the Premier League or anywhere else this summer, reiterating that he is happy to remain at Mestalla.