Sales over its third quarter before the Christmas period lifted 4% in the 13 weeks to November 22. But shares fell 6% in Thursday trading as festive sales growth fell short of market expectations. Chief executive Ken Murphy said: “Our investments in value, quality and service drove further gains in customer satisfaction and strong growth in fresh food, contributing to our highest UK market share in over a decade. Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Tesco continued to deliver for shoppers and investors alike this festive season, scooping up market share and increasing consumer satisfaction scores in an extremely competitive market. “However, performance at its wholesale business, Booker, wasn’t as good as hoped due to the long-running decline in tobacco sales.

England paceman Brydon Carse provided some on-field spice after losing his mind at umpire Ahsan Raza on day five of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney on Thursday. The outcome from Snicko enraged the right-arm quick - and he demanded an explanation from Raza in fiery scenes. It comes as pressure is mounting for UltraEdge to be introduced next summer after the DRS controversy provided another talking point. 'I feel for England, that was out,' England legend Michael Vaughan said in commentary for Fox Sports. In England, similar technology is funded by the sport's governing body, the ECB.

: Offaly village begins fundraising for St Patrick's Day paradeOne Offaly village has already began their fundraising efforts for their St Patrick's Day parade. The community in Edenderry have set out to raise €1,000 ahead of the celebration, which is less than ten weeks away. The Edenderry St Patrick’s Day Parade committee have said that the event has been the 'main event' in Edenderry for over 10 years, bringing the community together for a family friendly event that welcomes everyone, and brings so much fun and excitement right in to the heart of Edenderry. "We need some serious fundraising for the next few weeks to ensure the Edenderry Parade goes ahead. Every donation, big or small can go a huge way to make sure St Patricks Day in Edenderry is one to remember!"

Offaly senior football joint managers Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte. Offaly team named to play Meath in O'Byrne CupThere are four personnel changes in the Offaly senior football team named to play Meath in the O'Byrne Cup quarter-final tonight (Wednesday) in Gracefield (throw-in, 7.30pm). Joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly have confirmed the Faithful County team this afternoon with four changes to the starting team which defeated Carlow in the first round of the pre-season competition. With some players committed to Sigerson Cup games, the joint managers have selected the Tullamore quartet of Daire McDaid, Aaron Leavy and brothers Diarmuid and Cormac Egan in tonight's starting team. There is one positional change on the starting team with Jordan Hayes listed at centre half back and Marcas Dalton selected to play in the half forward line.

Sesko scores twice but Darren Fletcher’s Man Utd held by BurnleyBy Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football WriterManchester United began life after Ruben Amorim with a 2-2 draw at struggling Burnley as substitute Jaidon Anthony’s strike denied Darren Fletcher victory in his first, and perhaps only, match as interim boss. The last few days have been a whirlwind, even in the rollercoaster recent history of the Red Devils, after time was called on the combustible Portuguese’s underwhelming 14-month stay on Monday. United drew away to Leeds in Amorim’s final game and three days later interim boss Fletcher oversaw another point at a promoted side, with Burnley holding on after Anthony struck for Scott Parker’s men. The Clarets’ winless run stretches to a 12th match but it is a better result for them than United, whose fans held up a “Jim can’t fix this” banner before kick-off Turf Moor – aimed at co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Fletcher could again be in charge of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton but it remains to be seen as talks continue with leading candidates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick.

Man City drop more points in title race as Brighton earn drawBy Andy Hampson, Press AssociationTitle-chasing Manchester City dropped points for a third successive game as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton on Wednesday. It has been a tough start to 2026 for City with central defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias also suffering significant injuries. It could have immediately got worse for City as Mitoma broke into the box and presented Diego Gomez with a gilt-edged chance in front of goal. City threatened again from a corner but Haaland’s header was cleared off the line by Kadioglu and the Norwegian was guilty of a glaring miss soon after. This time Cherki pounced on a careless Brighton pass to supply the striker but he shot straight at Verbruggen.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitite doubtful for Arsenal clash with hamstring injuryBy Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport CorrespondentHugo Ekitike is a major doubt for Thursday’s big Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool. The Reds forward missed the 2-2 draw against Fulham at the weekend because of a minor hamstring problem and has not yet returned to training. Manager Arne Slot said: “He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today. The defending champions go into the game 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal after Harrison Reed’s stunning late equaliser saw them drop more points at Craven Cottage. Dominik Szoboszlai was the match-winner against Arsenal in August (Peter Byrne/PA) Photo by Peter Byrne“We’ve beaten Arsenal at home and I can come up with many other games that we’ve won against very strong teams,” he said.

Lorraine Wynne, who runs their independent Travel Counsellors business in Offaly. Clara based Lorraine part of award winning travel teamLorraine Wynne who runs their independent Travel Counsellors business in Offaly is part of the Travel Counsellors Ireland team that has won Best Long-Haul Agency for the second year in a row at the 2025 ITTN Irish Travel Trade Awards. The prestigious awards, hosted annually by Irish Travel Trade News (ITTN), celebrate excellence, innovation and customer care across Ireland’s travel industry. Headquartered in Mahon, Cork, Travel Counsellors Ireland has more than 80 independent business owners nationwide and is part of a global community of over 2,500 Travel Counsellors across six countries. The company has become known for delivering highly personalised service, expert travel advice and trusted leisure and corporate travel management.

Man Utd can shed £13m in wages if three unhappy players leave after Ruben Amorim exitA number of players were reportedly unhappy at Manchester United under former boss Ruben AmorimView 2 Images Several players were reportedly unhappy under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United prior to his sacking. Manchester United can still shed a reported £13m in wages if three players who were unhappy under Ruben Amorim leave the club. It remains to be seen whether any of the trio will look to force a move away from the club, but United may still look to offload their wages. Chelsea and Napoli are two of the clubs reportedly keen on his services, though United fans will be hoping he sticks around. "With so many games close together and players out through injury, international duty, even flu, it might seem to be a weaker squad than usual.

The reintroduction of wolves, a national bounty for hunting feral cats, and giving contraceptives to deer were among hundreds of proposals received by the Government following a public consultation on wildlife legislation. One individual called on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to “stop being silly stick-in-the-muds” and introduce the beaver to Ireland’s natural habitats. Many of the submissions called for foxhunting, harecoursing and snaring badgers to be banned, while others argued for these activities to be protected in any forthcoming legislation. Several submissions called for a ban on harecoursing, describing it as an “indefensible practice”. One submission called for the reintroduction of wolves in Ireland, arguing that this would have positive effects on tree growth and biodiversity.

Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns has undergone breast reduction surgery after years of suffering from 'pain' and battling with 'over-sexualisation.' Sharing a photo of herself while she recovered in hospital, Cat laid in bed and wrote a lengthy caption. It comes after Cat revealed the 'real reason' she was banished during the final roundtable of the series. Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the star admitted how she felt she failed to make it to the final three because she was the only woman left in the game. Because Kate was gone, I was the last one left so then they were like: "It has to be her".'

Europeans are trying to decouple from US financial infrastructure, as they question their reliance on Visa and Mastercard. The US raised tariffs to their highest level in almost a century, China retaliated and global policy uncertainty intensified. And still, global growth is projected at 3.2 per cent, exactly what forecasters expected a year earlier when none of this turbulence was on the horizon. It would be a mistake, however, to think the global economy is unaffected by tariff fights and policy chaos. The EU must deepen its single market, raise productivity and position itself as an attractive destination for global capital seeking diversification.

President Catherine Connolly speaking at the Young Scientist Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin. Photograph: Enda O'DowdPresident Catherine Connolly has described the recent loss of life in Venezuela as “appalling” and said international law must be upheld. “As the United Nations general secretary has said, there must be full respect for international law including the United Nations charter,” she said. It was less a scientific problem than a problem of injustice in societies and economies. Speaking by video link, he promised to hold a questions-and-answers session with the students when he arrived at the venue.

Tanya Sweeney: Ashley Tisdale is right – there’s a toxic hierarchy to mum groups I want nothing to do withFrom the breastfeeders and the babywearers to the cloth nappy converts – not everyone fits into the mum group cliqueThe mum group involving Mandy Moore, Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff seems to have soured recentlyTanya Sweeney Today at 06:30“I thought I found my village. Instead, I was back in high school.” So says actress/writer Ashley Tisdale, who wrote an article for The Cut this month about breaking away from her “toxic mom group”.

HSE spent €1.2m chasing patients for unpaid hospital charges over three yearsHealth service unable to provide details of what it got in return from debt collectorsHSE paid debt-collection agencies €1.2m to chase patient billsMary Regan Today at 06:30At least four private debt collectors have been paid more than €1.2m by the HSE over the last three years to chase patients for unpaid hospital charges.