THE opening round of the Ladbrokes.com Derby will draw to a conclusion at Shelbourne Park this evening and, with twelve heats, there should be no shortage of clues as to the possible outcome of the world’s greatest greyhound competition.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney yesterday backed newcomer Mike McCarthy to make a big impact in his international test debut against Scotland tomorrow.

The 27-year-old Edinburgh hooker was one of five Scotland players withdrawn from club service after the Six Nations, but will pack down for tomorrow’s EMC Test at Murrayfield for his first action since the victory over Italy on March 19.

TEENAGE Irish golf sensations Lisa and Leona Maguire get another look at what life is like in the paid ranks at Killeen Castle today — but they’re in no rush to join the professional game.

NOT for the first time in football, we are obliged to reflect on the profound meaning of David St Hubbins’ sage observation: “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever”.

THE FAI have confirmed that they have lodged a complaint with RTÉ concerning a July 16 edition of ‘Saturday Sport’ on Radio One which has seen the programme’s presenter Des Cahill effectively blackballed by the association.

IRELAND’S World Cup 2014 destiny will be partly in the hands of Ronaldo this evening.

THERE was no doubt about who was the star of the warm-up show at the Aviva Stadium yesterday, as Manchester City unveiled their new €40 million man, Sergio Aguero.

THE IRFU’s decision to offer cut-price admission charges for the upcoming Summer Series fixtures against France and England is paying dividends with over two-thirds of the tickets available for the two encounters already snapped up.

DARREN CLARKE will tee off for the first time as a Major champion today, fully aware that the rest of his professional career — and the way he approaches it — is in need of a rethink.

THE Republic of Ireland will be among the third seeds for the 2014 FIFA World Cup draw in Brazil on Saturday night. The seedings are based on FIFA’s July ranking of national teams, published yesterday, in which Giovanni Trapattoni’s men fell two places to 33rd.

IRELAND’S U19s will step up preparations for tomorrow’s European Championship semi-final against tournament favourites Spain (kick-off 6:45pm) after yesterday’s rest-day in Bucharest.

GRAEME McDOWELL is looking forward to this week’s Irish Open and hoping it can act as a springboard to a strong second half of what has been a disappointing year.

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny had the minor advantage of familiarity when he lined up alongside golf’s golden boy Rory McIlroy for the glamour Irish Open Pro-Am in Killarney yesterday.

IRISH hockey was yesterday celebrating one of the most famous results in its recent history, after the senior men’s side routed world number six Korea 5-1 at the INSEP Five Nations in Paris yesterday.

IRELAND show jumping manager Robert Splaine has blended two debutants with three riders boasting vast experience in his nations cup squad for next week’s Dublin Horse Show.

AS a player, he had the unfortunate experience of being on the losing side in All-Ireland football and hurling finals in the space of six years.

IT ALL adds up, and even notoriously tight All Blacks fans are going to have to pony up next month.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger yesterday refused to give any clear indication over the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri but stated that no player is irreplaceable.

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson will take no risks with injury doubt Chris Ashton in today’s World Cup warm-up international against Wales.