European golf fans have an instant chance to salute Ryder Cup heroes Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Ian Poulter this week.

Coach Alan Gaffney has opted for the inclusion of World Cup veterans Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Frank Sheahan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell and Anthony Foley as part of his strongest available side for the Celtic League tussle with Cardiff Blues at Musgrave Park on Friday evening.

Liverpool’s Vladimir Smicer claims winning the Barclaycard Premiership or the Champions League would make up for missing out on this summer’s World Cup finals with the Czech Republic.

JASON ROBINSON keeps trying to push thoughts of World Cup celebration out of his mind as he prepares to bring one of rugby’s most brilliant careers to a close.

PAVEL Nedved has announced he will retire from international football following the Czech Republic’s friendly clash with Serbia tonight.

Cesc Fabregas dedicated his World Cup triumph to Arsenal – but his future with the north London giants remains shrouded in mystery.

Roger Federer has won the Tennis Masters Cup after a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory over David Ferrer in Shanghai.

A CORK rugby fan has warned other supporters against buying World Cup tickets from online sites after he was allegedly scammed out of thousands of euro.

DESPITE the clouds of pessimism shrouding Steve Staunton’s appointment as new Republic of Ireland manager, most football fans will give him the benefit of the doubt — for now.

Robbie Keane will make a record-breaking 126th appearance for the Republic of Ireland in tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

American Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim and Indian Jeev Milkha Singh are the latest two names in the 16-strong field for the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain in five weeks’ time.

Sweden striker Tobias Hysen has tipped his former Sunderland boss Roy Keane as the ideal candidate to become the next Republic of Ireland manager.

Kanturk teenager Ciarán Forde will pull on the green jersey to represent Ireland in the Power Soccer World Cup in Paris.

Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington made a good start in their attempt to climb back into contention at golf’s World Cup in Portugal today.

Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo wants to play for Chelsea.

Senior figures within FIFA are urging president Sepp Blatter to award compensation to Keith Cooper, who was unceremoniously sacked as communications director of football’s world governing body after the World Cup.

The United States say they plan to "pressure and hound" the Germans out of the World Cup.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has made three changes to his squad for the final World Cup qualifier against Cyprus next month

THE IRFU announced contract extensions for Declan Kidney and three of his management team yesterday, which will see them remain in charge of the Irish team until the end of the 2012-13 season which coincides with the next British and Irish Lions Tour.