Previous Day
Ireland's turmoil persists
SOCCER: A month after parting company with the
Irish squad in Bratislava in confused and controversial
circumstances, Stephen Ireland yesterday announced that he would
not be travelling to Dublin for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against
Germany and Cyprus. p
IRB defend heavily criticised referee
RUGBY/New Zealand's exit: International Rugby Board referee manager Paddy O'Brien has staunchly defended World Cup referee Wayne Barnes after he was heavily criticised following New Zealand's World Cup exit.
McHugh's wonder strike gives Derry three-in-a-row
SOCCER/Derry City 1 Bohemians 0: A spectacular
extra-time goal settled the 2007 League Cup final at a packed
Brandywell last night and for Derry City striker, Kevin McHugh, it
will certainly be a strike to be remembered. p
Rugby 
France finally getting message
France is in a rugby tizzy like never before. On the back of Max Guazini's drive to commercialise Stade Francais in the capital city, this tournament could see the game's popularity escalate way beyond its normal parameters in the south.Name game knocks me completely off my Trolley
Hors de Combat: Whatever about Ireland's pronouncements before this World Cup, it was our pronunciation that raised my antenna last weekend.No longer afraid of heights
There have been many unlikely heroes in England's even more unlikely march to the World Cup semi-finals from the origins of their 38-0 defeat to South Africa in the pool stages, but few have been more uplifting in the tournament than the story of Andy Gomarsall.O'Driscoll return a boost for Leinster
Celtic League news: Brian O'Driscoll could have been showcasing his talents on the global stage of Saint Denis this weekend but Firhill, home to Patrick Thistle FC, will have to suffice. O'Driscoll returns to Leinster colours, one week ahead of schedule, for Friday's suddenly vital Magners Celtic League trip to Glasgow. p
Draw throws up daunting tasks for British clubs
Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers officials were keen to proclaim the revitalising qualities of the Uefa Cup after yesterday's group draw and, with their clubs languishing 17th and 19th in the Premier League respectively, no wonder. pEngland v Estonia
GROUP E: Defender Wes Brown is out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia because of a knee injury. pSweden v N Ireland
GROUP F : Luton Town midfielder Stephen Robinson is set to be named in the Northern Ireland squad for next Wednesday's game against Sweden in Stockholm. The 32-year-old made his debut a decade ago and won the last of his six caps in 2005 against Azerbaijan. pCyprus v Wales
GROUP D : Wales midfielder Jason Koumas has become the latest player to be ruled out of manager John Toshack's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers in Cyprus and San Marino through injury. pScotland v Ukraine
GROUP B : Paul Hartley and Gary Caldwell have been ruled out of Scotland's crucial qualifier against Ukraine at Hampden on Saturday. p
Great chance for clubs to regain ground
On Gaelic Games: The theory of the GAA and its congresses is that they are ultimately pure expressions of democracy, opportunities for the massed ranks of members to affect and direct association policy. pProposal to replace minor and under-21
The introduction for an experimental two years of an intercounty under-19 All-Ireland championship to replace the current minor and under-21 grades is the most significant proposal of the GAA's Task Force on Player Burnout. This and other recommendations were launched at Croke Park yesterday. pContraction of intercounty schedule mooted
The report on facilitating a better programme of club fixtures, launched in Croke Park yesterday, is the opportunity for clubs to make their feelings on the subject known, according to GAA president Nickey Brennan.. pLeacy and Mulcahy share the honour after All-Ireland success
Irish Times/Vhi Healthcare Sportswoman Award for September: After Wexford won their first camogie senior All-Ireland title in 32 years in early September, with a shock victory over reigning champions Cork, it promised, briefly, to be an uncomplicated month for the judging panel. All we had to do was decide which member of the team should take our award, and after a while we whittled the short-list down to 16, ie the entire starting line-up plus substitute Katrina Parrock. pKilkenny lead the way with 11 nominations
The Gaelic Players Association have avoided some of the controversy that plagued last year's hurling team of the year nominations with the 45 candidates spread across 10 counties. p
Harrington will play with the fear factor
World Matchplay Championship: Padraig Harrington has an extra reason for wanting his first win at Wentworth this weekend - he is in danger of losing his position as European number one. p
Bewleys looks a bit special
Tipperary Report: Call Bewleys could be a challenger for one of the top novice chases at next year's Cheltenham Festival when running out an impressive winner on his debut over fences at Tipperary yesterday. p
Worth having an interest in 'Notso' Fasth
Betting column: Meet Vinny Fitzpatrick. He could be you, or me. Vinny, you see, likes to bet. Gambling is his passion. Not wine; although he enjoys a pint; not women, for he is a confirmed bachelor; not song; for he hasn't a note in his head. Betting is Vinny's vice. It doesn't matter whether it's the nags, dogs, football, GAA, golf, rugby, cards, or American sports, which he dislikes - "too much emphasis on the hand" - Vinny can't resist a punt. p
