SPONSORS are standing by Thierry Henry after his blatant handball dashed Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.

PADDY POWER enjoyed a strong return to growth during the first half of the year, with pre-tax profits up by 54% on the same period last year and earnings per share rising by 31%.

GAA chiefs yesterday announced television viewer figures have increased for the first three months of this year’s All-Ireland championships, despite the competing attraction of the World Cup during June and July.

ALGERIA coach Rabah Saadane refused to blame goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi for the blunder which handed Slovenia their first points at a World Cup with a 1-0 Group C win in Polokwane yesterday.

BAYERN MUNICH midfielder Michael Ballack has denied reports he has come to a gentleman’s agreement to join Manchester United after the 2006 World Cup.

STEVE STAUNTON has admitted that his decision to quit international football with the Republic of Ireland is enabling him to extend his career with Aston Villa.

VOTED Italy’s most popular player in a recent poll, Alessandro Del Piero could be forgiven for showing frustration when asked whether he feels overshadowed by team-mate Francesco Totti.

FRANCE have a full-strength squad to select from for their last World Cup Pool D game, against Georgia, on Sunday in Marseille.

CHRIS PATERSON hopes Scotland’s two August Tests will result in his country approaching next month’s World Cup in a more positive frame of mind than they did in 2003.

GRAHAM HENRYS future as All Blacks coach hung by a thread last night as the New Zealand Rugby Union said he would have to reapply for his job following the failed World Cup campaign.

FORGET the club hurling finals in Croke Park this St Patrick’s Day, the stick sport with unique appeal will be in Jamaica, where Ireland will play in their first ever ICC Cricket World Cup.

AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union chief John O’Neill could be in line to replace the late Vernon Pugh QC as the Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB).

GERMAN midfielder Torsten Frings may miss out on his country’s World Cup semi-final clash with Italy tomorrow, as FIFA announced yesterday that it is to decide whether to punish the influential midfielder.

HERNAN CRESPO insists Argentina are proud to be regarded as World Cup favourites and that they can now allow themselves to dream of glory.

STEVEN REID believes the Republic of Ireland have nothing to fear as they prepare to face France at Lansdowne Road next month.

IRISH striker Laura Hislop misses Saturday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter against Scotland due to college exams in the United States.

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