SOME of world hockey’s big hitters will descend on Dublin next month as University College Dublin becomes the focal points for two top-class tournaments.

It was a far cry from the carnival atmosphere and soaring temperatures of Rio for Brazilian football legend Socrates, who stepped out today at the freezing and tiny non-league ground of Garforth Town.

Thousands of Argentine football fans gathered on the golden sands of Copacabana beach gasped and then fell into silence when Germany scored a stunning extra-time goal to claim the World Cup title.

Vladimir Weiss is set to miss Rangers’ title run-in after discovering he has a broken foot.

Michael Essien will return to the international fold for Ghana’s next competitive international against DR Congo in March next year, the country’s football association has confirmed.

Pedro Mendes was on the brink of returning to Portugal this afternoon after Rangers agreed a fee with Sporting Lisbon for the midfielder.

Didier Deschamps has described the prospect of succeeding Sam Allardyce in the Newcastle hotseat as “an exciting challenge”.

NEW ZEALAND lock Ali Williams has vowed to play again, despite suffering a second achilles tendon rupture.

NICKY BUTT has accepted the chance of a season’s loan at Birmingham to avoid the prospect of spending the months before the 2006 World Cup on the Newcastle bench.

MASTER OF HOUNDS will go for either the Qipco 2000 Guineas or the Kentucky Derby following his gallant effort in the UAE Derby in Dubai.

Matt Dawson is still hopeful he will play in England’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Italy despite suffering a shoulder injury in a reserve game.

Kieren Fallon is set to become the retained jockey for owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum in Dubai this winter.

Wembley is set to be finally confirmed as the site for the new English ational stadium.

All tickets for England's Lloyds TSB Six Nations clash with Italy on Saturday week have been sold out.

Alex Ferguson has virtually abandoned hope of Gary Neville and Louis Saha featuring for Manchester United in next weekend’s FA Cup final.

Mary McKenna, Ireland’s most successful female amateur golfer, has been appointed captain of the teams that will represent Great Britain and Ireland in the 2007 Vagliano Trophy and the 2008 Curtis Cup.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown tomorrow with a potential bid by England for the 2018 World Cup top of the agenda.

HE may be most people’s selection as the world’s greatest footballer, but Lionel Messi may not be the star of the World Cup finals. That’s the view of Argentina legend Ossie Ardiles who fears Messi’s relationship with Diego Maradona may undermine Argentina’s hopes of World Cup glory.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan today insisted Ireland were relishing their trip to fortress Twickenham – so that they can be the first team to dethrone the world champions.