Opening batsman Niall McDonnell is the only new face in a 14-man Ireland squad to face Pakistan in two one-day internationals later this month.

Asian football supremo Mohamed Bin Hammam has dropped a new hint that he may challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Ireland completed a perfect Group A campaign of five wins from five matches at the World Cup Qualifying tournament with today’s easy seven-wicket success against Namibia in Johannesburg.

Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger shook off his knee injury to line up against Cyprus in tonight’s crucial World Cup qualifier.

Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed this afternoon that he would wait until later this evening to name his starting 11 for the Republic of Ireland’s final World Cup qualifier against Montenegro tomorrow.

Cricket Ireland today announced that Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin will stage the One Day International with Australia in 2010.

Jamie Carragher has revealed that an England defeat “never hurt me in the same way as losing with my club.”

Martin Corry has declined Brian Ashton’s offer of a place in England’s squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The term ‘‘krauts’’ may be regarded as ‘‘light-hearted’’ by advertising watchdogs, but Germans said today that they find it offensive.

Brazil could face a play-off against Australia for the right to figure in next year’s World Cup finals after blowing the chance of automatic qualification with a 3-1 loss to Bolivia in La Paz.

The Players Championship - golf's unofficial fifth major - could in future could become part of the race for places in Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Lions coach Warren Gatland believes the 2011 World Cup has demonstrated that selecting a large number of England players for this summer’s tour to Australia will result in unwanted media attention.

CRISTIANO RONALDO has defended Wayne Rooney over criticism of his World Cup displays so far and backed his former Manchester United team-mate to improve.

GREECE coach Otto Rehhagel has urged his players to play “beyond their limits” if they want to claim a place in the 2010 World Cup by defeating Ukraine in their two-legged play-off.

UNWORRIED and full of courage. That’s how Giovanni Trapattoni wants his Ireland side to face the French – “just like Trap the player when he came up against Pele”.

MARCELLO LIPPI failed to weave his magic in his first match since returning to the Italy helm as the Azzurri were forced to recover from two goals down to draw with Austria in a friendly in Nice last night.

DENIS Hurley is set to start at full back in Munster’s final Magners League tie against Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park tomorrow (5.30pm).