Previous Day
Nearly men get their turn
Ireland v Fiji: It would be no great surprise if Ireland followed up the high of a win over the world champions with an anti-climactic performance the next weekend. Think back to the 27-25 win in Paris only three seasons ago, and two weeks later Ireland losing at home to Wales. No really, they did. Gerry Thornley previews Sunday's game p
The rain suits Dublin fine
In an ironic twist of fate the heavy rain of recent days has meant the Dublin senior football final between St Vincent's and UCD has been postponed a day until Sunday. The winners will then have a week's recovery before playing Wicklow champions Rathnew in the Leinster club championship quarter-final. Ian O'Riordan reports. p
Barcelona demand a greater escape act
Escapologists must expect ever more stern tests. Newcastle United became the first club to lose their first three Champions League matches and still wriggle through from the opening group phase. p
Soccer
Liverpool seek UEFA pick-me-up
Liverpool will garner some consolation after their early Champions League exit if they go on to lift the UEFA Cup, and Gerard Houllier's team were yesterday installed as favourites after being paired with the Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in the third round. pFerguson sees red over criticism
Alex Ferguson, not known for suffering his critics gladly, yesterday publicly faced Manchester United fans and was left in no doubt about the growing disillusionment over his side's thus far erratic season. pHelping Sven to keep his grip
Michael Walker talks to Tord Grip about the recent crisis at FA headquarters and England's progress under the Swedish management team pLazio may be the next to fall
Despite Italian clubs performing well in Europe, their financial difficulties continue. Paddy Agnew looks at the latest victims pBig three may have familiar company
Changes are afoot in the Premiership hierarchy, and that is nowhere moreapparent than in the big city derbies, reports Kevin McCarra pGreece squad is announced
AEK Athens goalkeeper Dionyssis Chiotis has won a call-up to the Greece squad for the first time for next week's friendly against the Republic of Ireland. p
A Little heritage and a lot of talent
His uncle was a legendary All Black, but Nicky Little has embraced Fijian rugby's sense of adventure and spirit even if, as an outhalf, he sometimes has to call a halt to the fun, writes Keith Duggan pI fought the Claw but ...
Gerry Thornley talks to Munster prop Marcus Horan who is finally emerging from the shadow of Peter Clohessy and makes his first startingappearance for Ireland, against Fiji tomorrow. pEngland look to backs to move forward
England v Australia: Tying the kangaroo down is becoming an English speciality at Twickenham. Two years ago Australia may have had only 13 men on the field when Dan Luger scored his injury-time winning try, but the first-half display by England's pack in last year's 21-15 victory was ruthlessly convincing. pLomu and Mehrtens wary of unpredictable French
France v New Zealand: The World Cup is a year away but in Paris today the Six Nations champions France will pit their talents against the Tri-Nations victors New Zealand in what can be termed the unofficial world championship of 2002. pWalker's reign on Scotland wing set to run and run
Scotland v South Africa: In a world inhabited by Ben Cohen and Jonah Lomu, Scotland can walk tall at last. It has been a while, but the Murrayfield faithful will be grateful that the next big thing rampaging down the wing has a thistle on his breast, writes Iain Morrison pWood opts out of Pumas Test
Keith Wood has been obliged to take another rest from the game due to his troublesome neck injury, and as a result has ruled himself out of consideration for next Saturday's international match against Argentina at Lansdowne Road. p
Blackrock not burdened by past glories
In the early years of the club championships Cork clubs were dominant in both football and hurling. Two in particular. Nemo Rangers quickly established themselves top of football's roll of honour whereas Blackrock did the same in hurling. Seán Moran reports p
Limestone Lad set for return to Navan
RACING: Michael Bowe was a relieved man yesterday after the decision to transfer the Morgiana Hurdle from a washed out Punchestown to Navan tomorrow. Brian O'Connor reports. pWeld on a plundering mission
RACING: Dermot Weld is home - but not for long. Next week one of Ireland's most remarkable sporting figures will further embelish the air miles and head to Tokyo on the latest of his international treks. Brian O'Connor reports pDark horses come leaping out of the rain
Sideline Cut/Keith Duggan: Like many people on Thursday evening, I made the mistake of believing we had a transport system. It was to have been a short drive to the shops for milk but when I returned sobbing and broken yesterday afternoon, it had turned sour. pMonty to the fore in China
GOLF: Ryder Cup heroes Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood spearhead the European challenge for the TCL Classic in Dongguan, China while Ireland's Paul McGinley is in a share for 10th place after a 69. pCullen sparkles in the fading light
GOLF: Ireland's Gary Cullen shot a magnificent eight-under-par 63 to be just one shot off the pace after the first round of the European Tour School final qualifying at Emporda Golf Club yesterday. p
