World Cup play-off: Czechia 2 Ireland 2 (Czechia win 4-3 in a penalty shootout)For Irish eyes, the Child of Prague bore tears of sorrow not joy as dreams of a first World Cup finals appearance since 2002 ended, a night when Ireland’s resistance was broken in a penalty shoot-out by Czech persistence. After a dramatic draw over 90 minutes, Czechia having been saved by a late, late goal from their captain Ladislav Krejci, a World Cup tussle came down to penalties but the record built up by Caoimhín Kelleher was outdone by his rival, PSV ’keeper Matej Kovar who made two saves, to deny Finn Azaz and Alan Browne, leaving veteran Jan Kliment with the decisive kick that punts the Czechs into a date at home to Denmark.

Czechia collapse will leave scars as Ireland’s World Cup remains a distant dreamFor a generation of Irish fans and players, Prague will become a byword for misery now, the scene of a collapse from a position that seemed almost too good to be true. The end of an adventure that generated feelings that were a throwback to another era.

Movie prop from a galaxy far far away sells for more than a million dollarsBy Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment ReporterA light-up C-3PO head used in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back has fetched more than 1 million dollars at auction. The prop was used in the 1980 film from George Lucas’s globally successful sci-fi franchise to represent the fictional droid, named C-3PO. Among the Jaws merchandise, presented a year after its landmark 50th anniversary, was the shark tooth clapperboard used during its production, which fetched 81,900 dollars (€71,701). “At Propstore, Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors and the C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back was a real highlight of the day. “The Jaws collection also delivered an impressive overall result, coming just after the film’s 50th anniversary and reflecting its enduring appeal with collectors.

Prolific thief jailed after returning to his old waysNathan Stevenson stole from a number of Sleaford shops over the course of a weekView Image Nathan Stevenson's police mugshot (Image: Lincolnshire Police)A 32-year-old man has been jailed after stealing from a number of stores in Sleaford. ‌Between Thursday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 18, Nathan Stevenson stole household goods worth more than £630 from three different stores in the town. Stevenson stepped off the train in Sleaford and went to the Co-op, where he stole £102.25 worth of goods. Over the next few days he stole goods worth £98.98 from Boyes, goods worth £225.25 from Spar, and then also another £169.01 worth of goods from Spar. “As a neighbourhood team we will continue to work with our communities to target people who cause harm within Sleaford."

The diplomatic impasse over the possibility of ceasefire talks has set the stage for another escalation in the Middle East War. US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said Iran has “repeatedly rebuffed on everything we asked for” in negotiations. Trump gives updates on Iran war in cabinet meeting at the White HouseTrump is now speaking at a cabinet meeting in the White House where he is delivering updates on the Iran war. The Gulf region and the US were “shocked” by Iran’s retaliatory attacks in the Middle East, he said. Meanwhile, a strike group anchored by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli drew closer to the Middle East with some 2,500 Marines.

Ireland scored three of their penalties, the Czechs scored four. Ireland gave everything, went two goals ahead in normal time, hit the woodwork twice, drew a world-class save out of the Czech keeper. This football suits the likes of Jake O’Brien, long of throw and tall as The Elysian. It had the twin effect of giving Ireland some breathing room and driving the Czechs up the walls. The game had long since devolved into pinball on legs and Ireland were looking tired, particularly down their right flank.

Jurgen Klopp speaks on Liverpool return as Anfield icon set for emotional reunionJurgen Klopp will return to the Anfield dugout to assist manager Sir Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool legends take on Borussia Dortmund legends on Saturday afternoonView 2 Images Jurgen Klopp is back in Liverpool (Image: Caean Couto/Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp is relishing his return to Anfield after landing back in the UK on Thursday afternoon. Klopp jetted in as he prepares to return to the home dugout at Anfield for the Liverpool legends against Borussia Dortmund legends game on Saturday afternoon. The Reds will be managed by Sir Kenny Dalglish, with Klopp, Ian Rush and John Aldridge assisting the Kop icon. ‌And after landing at Manchester Airport, Klopp posted a video on Instagram in which he said: "Hi guys, we are back. Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2024, after almost nine years in charge, to take a break from management.

A Bayern Munich official has launched a brutal attack on Liverpool's transfer strategy amid the Reds' pursuit of £173million star Michael Olise. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl insisted earlier this week that they are 'not even considering' selling the Frenchman. Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen added: 'No matter which club tries to lure him away, anyone who plays for FC Bayern knows what they have at FC Bayern.' Olise, 24, joined Bayern from Palace in a deal worth £52m in the summer of 2024 and has three years left on his contract. Olise is also thought to be happy at Bayern, who are on course for the Bundesliga title and face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Flintstones themed group who won the 'Stars of the Show' award at this year's Moate St Patrick's Day parade. Moate St Patrick's Day parade award winners announcedThe Moate St Patrick's Day parade united the town and its hinterland as vibrant floats graced the main street on the national feast day. The parade is renowned for its colourful float participation with numerous entries from local community and sporting organisations adding to the parade atmosphere. Leinster School of Dance claimed the 'Best Overall' accolade, the 'Most Entertaining Float' award going to the Ravens Living History Association. The Grand Hotel Moate will host the St Patrick's Day awards presentation night on Friday, April 24, at 7pm.

Beleaguered State agency Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) paid off the salary of its former chief executive, who is now taking a case at the Workplace Relations Commission, at a cost of €145,000, an Oireachtas committee has heard. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard former chief executive Francis O’Donnell received total payments from IFI of €377,000 for 2024 and 2025, despite being on leave from the organisation from March 2024. Mr O’Donnell was terminated from Inland Fisheries Ireland in June 2025. IFI has been without a full-time chief executive for the past two years, although a new chief executive, Dr Eamonn Kelly, is due to take up his appointment later this month. He added the body had elected to enter mediation with Mr O’Donnell rather than taking legal action in order to “avoid exposure” to additional costs.

By focusing on features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendation, the plaintiffs sidestepped the legal protections that have long shielded social media firms. Then, as now, companies denied harm while internal evidence and mounting public concern suggested otherwise. Time to ban sunbeds There are moments in public policy when the evidence becomes so overwhelming that hesitation is no longer caution — it is negligence. The recommendation by a government working group to ban commercial sunbeds in Ireland is one such moment. A ban on commercial sunbeds would not be an overreach: It would be a proportionate response to a preventable cause of disease.

Ireland’s World Cup dream over after penalty heartbreakBy Damian Spellman, Press AssociationJan Kliment fired the Czech Republic to within 90 minutes of the World Cup finals as they broke Republic of Ireland hearts in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to set up a showdown with Denmark. Parrott had to wait as the Czechs protested, but eventually thumped his spot-kick low to Kovar’s right to give the visitors a dream start. However, the hosts grabbed a lifeline with 27 minutes gone when Nyberg awarded a second penalty, this time for Manning’s needless tug on Krejci’s shirt, and Schick duly obliged from 12 yards. But the sting in the tail came with just four minutes remaining when Krejci powered substitute Michal Sadilek’s free-kick past helpless goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to level. There were worrying scenes in extra time when Sammie Szmodics collided with fellow substitute Stepan Chaloupek and had to be carried from the field on a stretcher, but Ireland’s hopes were dashed in cruel fashion as Kovar’s night took a distinct turn for the better.

Iranian naval commander Alireza Tangsiri had been leading Iran’s successful effort to close the Strait of HormuzAlireza Tangsiri, the commander of the naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is the latest senior Iranian military figure targeted by Israel in its month-long bombardment of Iran. Israel said it had killed Tangsiri in a strike on Thursday; Iran has not commented. It was not immediately clear what effect Tangsiri’s death would have on Iran’s Strait of Hormuz strategy. Iran’s ability to control passage through the strait has been made possible, in part, by its use of attack drones. Khamenei was killed in an air strike at the outset of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran last month.

Emmanuel Gregoire waves to supporters as he rides a public bike-sharing bicycle heading to Paris townhall after his victory in the mayoral election. But voters in all three of those countries, as well as those in Germany and Italy, sent a message of discontent that should set alarm bells ringing. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally failed to take control of its key targets of Marseilles, Toulon and Nîmes in France’s municipal elections on Sunday. But the party made unprecedented gains, winning dozens of mayoralties in its strongholds in the southeast and northeast of France. Elections in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate saw the far-right Alternative for Germany double its share of the vote to almost 20 per cent.

The tone appeared set when Chiedozie Ogbene forced Ladislav Krejci into conceding a cheap corner inside the first minute. Ireland pressed well and attacked with confidence to give themselves the platform to succeed. Yet the decision to name him in the starting XI was an inspired one - even if the tie was decided after he had departed. While Krejci scored the late equaliser, the Czechia captain was repeatedly turned inside out by Ogbene, whose speed and directness ensured such a dominant start. DECISIVE: Ladislav Krejčí of Czechia is fouled by Ryan Manning to award the hosts a penalty, and a way back into the contest.