Ireland finished eighth at the women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Rome after losing 2-1 to New Zealand.

Australia great Stephen Larkham will join Edinburgh after the World Cup this autumn.

English World Cup-winning hero Alan Ball died of a suspected heart attack after battling to put out a bonfire in his garden, Hampshire police have confirmed.

Sportswear retailer JJB Sports today counted the cost of fierce competition after a World Cup sales lift failed to lead to stronger half-year profits.

Department store Debenhams reported a 70% hike in annual profits today but said a combination of the World Cup and a lack of strong fashion ranges had an impact on sales in the summer.

IRB U21 World Cup Pool stage results:

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is seeking to fill the key position of performance manager for "age grade" rugby.

The GAA is to come under intense pressure to surrender the use of Croke park for Irish soccer internationals, following yesterday's draw for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is due to name a 22-man squad today for this weekend's World Cup warm-up against Wales.

Everton have ceased their efforts to sign Irish international Gary Breen because of the player’s excessive wage demands, it was reported today.

Blackburn goalkeeper Alan Kelly has announced his retirement from international football following the World Cup defeat to Spain.

Roy Keane received a heroes welcome in his first game on Irish soil today since his departure from the World Cup during the Saipan fiasco.

Ireland have succumbed to their worst defeat of the women's Hockey World Cup.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan will step down after the 2003 World Cup and succeed Jim Telfer as the Scottish Rugby Union‘s director of rugby.

The Republic of Ireland soccer team may have to travel to Iran for their World Cup Qualifier in November, as the war in neighbouring Afghanistan continues.

The Republic of Ireland last night secured victory over Holland and a play-off spot for the World Cup.

Mark Kinsella will stand in for Roy Keane in the second leg of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Iran in Tehran this Thursday.

Ireland’s 2023 World Cup bid committee has come out punching in support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s assertion that their challenge to host the tournament is still very much alive.

Captain William Porterfield wants to provide extra “ammunition” to Ireland’s fight to be allowed a place in the next World Cup when they meet Pakistan in Belfast this weekend.