National Sport
DCAL to defend Windsor Park plans
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland will "robustly" defend its plans to redevelop Windsor Park in the wake of Crusaders' attempts to launch a judicial review of the case.
Keane free to face England
Skipper Robbie Keane will be able to face England next week after the Los Angeles Galaxy granted him permission to join up with the Ireland squad.
Hodgson plea to fans over chants
Roy Hodgson has heaped praise on England fans while urging them not to sing "religious or political" songs in next week's friendly with Ireland.
O'Brien targets series win
All-rounder Kevin O'Brien is confident Ireland can claim a series win over Pakistan after Thursday's dramatic tie in the first RSA Insurance one-day international in Dublin.
Ten-year ban for rider Ahern
Group One-winning jockey Eddie Ahern has been disqualified for a total of 10 years following the conclusion of a British Horseracing Authority corruption hearing.
Coach oozes class in Marble
Coach House looked a horse with a very bright future as the O'Briens got back on track in the Cold Move European Breeders Fund Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh.
Hitchens back on top in Greenlands
Hitchens repeated his Weatherbys Greenlands Stakes win of two years ago under a fine ride from Johnny Murtagh at the Curragh.
Magician works Curragh magic
Magician gave Aidan O'Brien his ninth victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
O'Brien quartet head for Guineas
Aidan O'Brien has declared a team of four as he goes for a ninth triumph in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Lion O'Brien healing quickly
British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O'Brien could yet play for Leinster in Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 final after making rapid progress in his recovery from a knee injury.
Good ground for Curragh classics
Good ground conditions are expected at the Curragh for Classic weekend at the County Kildare venue.
McIlroy slips down leaderboard
Rory McIlroy started well at the BMW PGA Championship and had been three under after 12 holes but he bogeyed five of the last six to be home in 41 for a two-over 74 after the first round.
Ireland draw exciting opener
Ireland fell agonisingly short of a first-ever win over a Test-playing nation in Dublin as the opening RSA Insurance one-day international against Pakistan ended in a tie.
Simmons already looking ahead
Coach Phil Simmons has admitted this week's RSA Insurance one-day international series against Pakistan is not the main priority of a summer in which Ireland will bid to secure their place at a third consecutive World Cup.
McDowell: I'm in the form of my life
Graeme McDowell feels he is in the form of his life as he seeks some rare success at Wentworth this week and a second major title next month.
Viztoria primed for Classic tilt
Eddie Lynam reports Viztoria on course for the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.
Pilkington out of Ireland squad
Norwich winger Anthony Pilkington has been withdrawn from the Ireland squad, the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed.
McDowell moves up in rankings
Graeme McDowell has risen one place to seventh in the world rankings after his win at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria.
Camelot headlines Tattersalls list
Last year's dual Derby hero Camelot tops five Aidan O'Brien-trained possibles for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
Judge leads 1000 Guineas charge
Just The Judge, narrowly denied by Sky Lantern in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, is among 18 remaining entries for the Etihad Airways-sponsored Irish version at the Curragh on Sunday.
Olympic ruled out of Curragh bid
Richard Hannon has ruled Olympic Glory out of Saturday's Etihad Airways Irish 2000 Guineas.
Best to lead Ireland on tour
Rory Best will lead Ireland's 28-man squad for their tour to the United States and Canada after being overlooked by the British and Irish Lions.
Gray pens new Stanley deal
Accrington striker James Gray has committed his future to the club by agreeing a contract extension for a further 12 months.
Mayo crush Galway
Mayo handed out a humiliating 17-point defeat to arch rivals Galway in the Connacht SFC at Salthill.
Weld on rain watch for Break
Dermot Weld wants to see some rain ahead of Big Break's run in the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.
Opportunity Knox for Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh is aiming for a dream start to his training career with Fort Knox in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Loch likely to take Classic chance
Loch Garman and Trading Leather are among a team of four from Jim Bolger's stable left in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Ireland unchanged for Pakistan series
Ireland have named an unchanged squad for their two-match one-day international series against Pakistan in Dublin later this month.
Lord reverts to smaller obstacles
Sweet My Lord will attempt to make a successful return to timber in the feature race of the day at Kilbeggan.
'Special' one attracts big interest
Trainer John Murphy's phone has been ringing off the hook since the impressive victory of Big Time at Naas on Wednesday evening.
Defeats for Colsaerts and Poulter
Defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts and former winner Ian Poulter face a battle to remain in the Volvo World Match Play Championship after losing their opening group games in Bulgaria.
Trading goes close in Dante
Trading Leather has Classic options open to him after filling the runner-up berth in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.
Stade looking to boss cup final
Isaac Boss expects Stade Francais to show no fear when they chase Amlin Challenge Cup final glory against Leinster at the RDS on Friday night.
O'Driscoll to miss Amlin Cup final
Brian O'Driscoll has been ruled out of the Amlin Challenge Cup final between Leinster and Stade Francais at the RDS.
Howlett calls time on playing career
Munster have announced the retirement of their former New Zealand wing Doug Howlett.
Sizing makes fencing debut
Sizing Rio is the star of the show at Tipperary on Thursday as he makes his fencing debut in the Kedrah House Stud 'Well Chosen' Beginners Chase.
Big Time shocks Fishery rivals
Big Time caused a 16-1 stir by claiming the Fishery Lane Race at Naas.
Byron makes Duke Of York frame
Gordon Lord Byron ran a cracking race to finish third in the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes on the Knavesmire.
Euphrasia shock in Blue Wind
Princess Highway's quest to win back-to-back renewals of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind Stakes was derailed by 33-1 chance Euphrasia.
McDowell looks for Sunday reunion
Most sportsmen will insist they never look beyond their next opponent in a tournament, but Graeme McDowell refreshingly admits he would love to play Shane Lowry in Sunday's Volvo World Match Play final.
Fitness boost for O'Driscoll
Leinster are optimistic about Brian O'Driscoll being fit for Friday night's Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais in Dublin.
Sexton: I will miss Wilkinson on tour
Leinster fly-half Jonny Sexton has revealed he would have loved the opportunity to learn from Jonny Wilkinson had the Englishman been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions this summer.
Ireland squad named for Minsk
Olympic medallists John Joe Nevin, Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan have been named in a 10-strong Ireland squad for next month's European Championships in Minsk.
Kerry advance to Christy Ring Cup semis
Kerry qualified for the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals with a 0-14 to 0-8 win over Derry at Tralee.
Trapattoni has eye on qualifiers
Giovanni Trapattoni will attempt to plot a route to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil when his Ireland squad meets up later this month.
Byron camp on weather watch
Trainer Tom Hogan would like the rain to stay away from the Knavesmire for his Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes challenger Gordon Lord Byron.
Nagle looking for rain at York
David Nagle is praying the rain comes for Maarek ahead of the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday.
Princess bids for Naas repeat
Dermot Weld's Princess Highway is the star of the show as she defends her title in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind Stakes at Naas on Wednesday night.
Lingmerth leads as Garcia, Wood clash
Sweden's David Lingmerth was the surprise leader of the £6.1million Players Championship when play was suspended due to darkness during the third round at Sawgrass.
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Weather for Portlaoise
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
