Only way is up for vibrant St Pat's

Their 47-year wait for an away victory in Europe over, Dublin side St Patrick's Athletic FC travel to face Hertha BSC Berlin in the UEFA Cup as underdogs but with the ambition to pull off a "phenomenal" upset.

Another UK tour operator goes bust

A second British tour operator has gone bust days after the collapse of XL Leisure sent the travel industry into turmoil, the aviation regulator confirmed today.

XL collapse sees rivals prosper on FTSE

The collapse of a rival operator buoyed holiday giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook today as the FTSE 100 Index surged nearly 2% in the final session of the week.

XL travel rivals see shares rise on FTSE

UK holiday giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook were experiencing strong gains today as investors digested the collapse of rival operator XL.

More tour operators expected to go under

The collapse of tour operator XL is the latest blow to the UK air travel industry, which has endured a torrid summer with a number of companies closing down.

McDonnell parts company with St Pats

Manager Johnny McDonnell has left St Patrick's Athletic, it was confirmed this afternoon.

Leighs card cut short

Foggy conditions at Great Leighs forced the abandonment of the meeting with one race left to run.

Injury forces Gallas and Silvestre out

William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre have been ruled out for up to three weeks through injury, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed.

No injury worries for Cardiff Blues ahead of Leinster clash

Xavier Rush, Jamie Roberts and Richie Ress all return from injury to take their places in the Cardiff Blues side against Leinster in the Magners League at The RDS on Saturday.

Players contacted with details of Drogheda settlement

Further talks were held this afternoon between cash-strapped Drogheda United and players' representatives.

Punchestown hoping for thaw

Officials at Punchestown are hoping milder weather arrives in time to allow their meeting on Saturday to go ahead.

Best, McCrea and Pollock return to Ulster side

Captain Rory Best, Mark McCrea and David Pollock have broken back into the Ulster side to face Edinburgh in the Magner's League at Murrayfield this Friday (KO 7.45pm.)

New deal for Jones

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

Nadal knocked out of Qatar Open

Rafael Nadal’s hopes of lifting the Qatar Open title are over after the world number one was surprisingly beaten 6-4 6-4 by France’s Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals in Doha.

Ayr all set for weekend racing

Ayr’s gamble of staging an extra jumps meeting on Saturday looks like paying off as the course is now raceable.