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Stephen Ferris has been cleared to take part in Ireland's Six Nations game against France

'Ferrisgate' can act as powerful lift new

Not a lot said at yesterday's Ireland team announcement, but plenty to talk about ahead of tomorrow's 'cold night in hell' showdown with France.
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McLeish: I will get it right new

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has come out fighting ahead of a proposed fans' protest before Sunday's home game with Manchester City and insisted: "I'll get it right at this club."

Barnes penalty was right call - IRB new

The International Rugby Board and RBS 6 Nations have exonerated referee Wayne Barnes of blame for Ireland's 23-21 RBS 6 Nations defeat by Wales.

Harte banking on O'Neill to lead Tyrone

Stephen O'Neill will captain the Tyrone footballers for the 2012 campaign, it has been confirmed.

McIlroy and Bjorn set pace in Dubai new

Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn, both former winners of the title, share the lead at the halfway stage of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

McClean reveals why he snubbed Northern Ireland

Martin O’Neill and James McClean have two things in common. Number one: they are both doing quite well at Sunderland. Number two: both men were born in Northern Ireland.

Gary Hamilton: Blues' jeans boy

When Gary Hamilton walked out as manager of Glenavon for the first time ahead of a match at Windsor Park with Linfield, little did he know that his attire would cause so much debate.

Macklin relishing Martinez bout

Irish favourite Matthew Macklin admits his St Patrick's Day shot at middleweight king Sergio Martinez in New York feels like "a fairytale".

Fired up Eugene ready to take it to the Max

Raring to go Eugene Laverty is now ready to make a concerted attack on this season’s World Superbike Championship alongside five-time world champion Max Biaggi.

Lennon’s Celtic surge clear of Rangers by beating broken Hearts

Hearts 0 Celtic 4: Celtic stretched their lead over Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to four points with a sound thrashing of Hearts at Tynecastle last night.

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GAA Writers Annual Dinner

In Pictures: Rugby World Cup Fans

Columnist Comments

• Blame for this awful mess lies squarely with Capello

Unusually for Fabio Capello, a man who owns some highly valued pieces of art but is not given to too many flights of poetic fancy, he once said that he had a dream. It was right at the start of his England reign and it was that he would lead his team into the final of the World Cup in Johannesburg.

Columnist Comments

• Proof there’s life in the old dogs yet

The notion that players who are fortunate enough to reach inter-county standard can now expect rather shorter careers at this level would appear to be gaining in substance — if we are to believe all we hear, that is.

Columnist Comments

• The strife of Brian in quest for Holy Grail

One down, four to go, as the Six Nations burst back onto our screens on Saturday lunchtime with the game no-one gives a monkeys about — France v Italy.

Columnist Comments

• Wales on course for joy of six

Controversial decisions may have denied Ireland of victory against Wales in Dublin but at the stark fact is the Irish did not deserve to win. Wales did as they were much the better side.

Columnist Comments

• Tyrone Howe: Ireland need pride after big fall

Let’s be honest, Ireland may have been minutes away from recording a home victory, but for the majority of the game they were out-thought, outgunned and outplayed by Warren Gatland and his men.

Columnist Comments

• Bridge battle was a game that makes it all worthwhile

Have you ever wanted to quit your job and live the life of a football commentator instead? Being offered a prime seat at all the best games and not having to pay for it? Better still, someone is paying YOU to be there!

Columnist Comments

• Title race is wide open again and AVB’s job is safe

It's game on in the Premier League title race. Manchester City aren't invincible in England after all. And Chelsea have become a force again.

Columnist Comments

• Ulster bonus material finally shown

A week ago, in the wake of their 24-17 RaboDirect Pro12 victory over Scarlets, I wrote in terms of Ulster having achieved the first of five pre-Christmas goals.