Maybe Ballincollig could do with this run snapping now to clean the slate for the January 17th Cup final against Tralee’s Warriors? Ballincollig had an edginess to their Cup semi-final squeaker against Limerick Celtics that gave off a whiff of handbrake about it. Nobody had us here in pre-season – top of the league and in the Cup final. Superleague new boys Limerick Celtics hung around til the half and went four ahead in Q4 to set up the shock of the semi-final weekend. Eventually Ballincollig ground out five minutes of overtime, a brick of a session, with no score – repeat no score – from open play.

If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreA professional packer has revealed how to fit two weeks' worth of clothes in carry-on luggage, including the items that make this possible. A professional packer has revealed how to fit two weeks' worth of clothes in carry-on luggage, including the items that make this possibleAt 3.12kg it's pretty light, and it's not the most expensive option, either - given its £250 price tag. The expert packer's next tip is a roomy personal item bag. Making use of a personal item allowance is a great way to maximise hand luggage. Our team has reviewed and rated some of our favourite personal item bags that meet standard dimensions.

Ask Allison: I’m happily alcohol-free but my husband’s social life is entirely drink-based. Psychologist Allison Keating answers your queries about life and relationshipsAlcohol and socialising in Ireland go hand in hand and it's a real issue. Photo: GettyAllison Keating Today at 06:30Question: I am in my early 50s and I have been alcohol-free for about 10 years. My children are now in their early teens and I have more time and energy on my hands. My husband is a very social guy – he loves going out to the pub with his friends and going for dinner but I hate it.

Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa's next Premier League fixtures after late title twistManchester City dropped points for the second game running by conceding a 94th-minute equaliser at home to Chelsea, having missed a series of opportunities to put that match to bed. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)The Premier League title race took another dramatic twist on Sunday, as Chelsea produced a late dagger against Manchester City. ‌City looked on course to go within four points of Arsenal, only for the win to be snatched away right at the death. After drawing 0-0 at Sunderland on New Year's Day, Pep Guardiola's side have now dropped points in back-to-back Premier League games. Following that, Guardiola and Co. welcome Wolves on January 24.Who'll win the Premier League title this season?

The interior designer on how grounding and healing it is to have her dogs Monte and MillieI was working as a real estate agent in Los Angeles a decade ago when I visited an animal shelter with my friend’s son who had autism. A few months after we got him, Monte started lying on my tummy all the time, and that was how I knew I was pregnant. Well, there’s three of them in it, because Millie, our Shih Tzu, joined the family in October 2023, and so Freya, Monte and Millie are now the Three Musketeers. I can see now that Freya is learning from Monte and Millie – empathy and, again, that sense of responsibility. When it comes to Monte and Millie, we are the top of their mountain.

Her birth mother was forcibly removed from her hometown of Belmullet in Co Cavan in the 1970s and shipped off to Britain to give birth in secret. Sarah remained with her birth mother for six weeks before she was placed in foster care by the Catholic Rescue Society. She says she was determined to get an Irish passport and to apply for it using the fact she was the biological daughter of an Irish woman. “I wanted it for myself to say yes — I now have something to say this is where my blood is from." After returning to the UK, her new Irish passport arrived the following day.

Photograph: Niall Carson/PA WireSchools and childcare facilities in parts of the country will stay closed or open late on Monday as icy conditions persist and regional snow and sleet warnings remain in place. All parts of the country are to remain extremely cold into Tuesday but the north west and north are most at risk of wintry showers. Many schools in Northern Ireland will also stay closed. Those same winds will bring rain to most parts on Tuesday, with some heavy falls in the south and southwest. As temperatures rise closer to normal levels later in the week, other challenging conditions are expected to develop.

The Hills' alum Whitney Port is candidly opening up about the emotional highs and lows of her ongoing surrogacy journey. 'The surrogacy journey is on a positive trajectory,' Port said. The Hills' alum Whitney Portis candidly opening up about the emotional highs and lows of her ongoing surrogacy journey'Some days I feel fragile, other days I feel scared. Earlier this year, Port revealed she has suffered five miscarriages. 'Can you even believe that that's just the charge just to find a new surrogate let alone the surrogacy fees?'

Words do nothing to me.” A first-time TD for Donegal, he brushes off concerns around trolling on social media. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had,” she says. She has also come to terms with social media trolling, saying it is “water off a duck’s back” now. Asked about the everyday aspects of the job, he says he posts a lot on social media, “so I definitely will attract more abuse”. He says many people contact him through social media rather than by email or phone.

Corriedale boss shares concern over last-minute change to crossover episodeCoronation Street and Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod has confessed that a planned last-minute alteration to the crossover episode, Corriedale, is making him nervousView 3 Images Coronation Street and Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod has confessed that a planned last-minute alteration to the crossover episode, Corriedale, is making him nervous (Image: ITV)Soap boss Iain MacLeod is certainly feeling the nerves about Coronation Street and Emmerdale's big crossover, Corriedale. Characters from both soaps feature in the action-packed episode, where a deadly crash stunt leaves lives on the line. ‌But one part of the episode in particular has given Iain sleepless nights. The public vote element as previously shared will see fans given the chance to add a scene into the episode. But in terms of what goes in the episode, that will be up to the audience."

Jamie Carragher openly questions VAR after Florian Wirtz's 'offside' goal givenJamie Carragher has questioned the VAR technology after Florian Wirtz's goal for Liverpool against Fulham was allowed to stand in the dramatic 2-2 draw on SundayView 3 Images Florian Wirtz' goal was allowed to stand (Image: Premier League)Jamie Carragher said he was shocked that Florian Wirtz's goal for Liverpool against Fulham was given by VAR. View 3 Images Florian Wirtz was adjudged to have been onside for Liverpool's opening goalHAVE YOUR SAY! ‌"It was a moment when we lost the ball," Fulham boss Marco Silva said of the Wirtz goal. ‌View 3 Images Florian Wirtz scored Liverpool's first goal at Craven Cottage (Image: Getty Images)"Again, we are in a difficult situation because we drew two times. At the end I scored in minute 95, they scored in minute 97 - a wonderful goal to be fair.

On Saturday night, a man died after his car hit a tree at Headford, Co Kerry. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PATwo men in their 30s have died in separate road crashes in counties Kerry and Longford over the weekend. Later on Saturday night, a collision at Headford, Co Kerry, claimed the life of another man whose car hit a tree. The PSNI said the collision, which involved a red Ford Kuga Titanium car, happened at about 2.35pm in the Carnbore Road area of Bushmills. The PSNI has asked for any witnesses, or anyone with footage of the area, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit.

A survey by An Taisce of 40 towns and cities across the State found Sligo town to be the least littered. However, Ibal said the “collapse” of reusable coffee cup schemes was a “real disappointment in a generally positive year”. However, disposable coffee cups are one of the most commonly found forms of litter, evident in a fifth of all sites surveyed. “A real disappointment in a generally positive year has been the likely collapse of reusable coffee cup schemes in towns such as Killarney,” Mr Horgan said. Weaning ourselves off single-use coffee cups should not be such a big deal.”The prevalence of disposable vapes, which are set to be outlawed over the course of 2026, was unchanged.

The number of workplace fatalities in the Republic increased by 60 per cent during 2025, according to newly released figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). It brings total workplace fatalities countrywide to more than 500 since 2015. Aside from the growth in numbers in agriculture, the number of fatalities recorded in construction doubled, from five to 10, and those in manufacturing went from zero to five. Nine deaths involved falls from heights and another three involved other falls. There were six fatalities reported in Dublin, the same number as in Cork and also in Donegal.

Barristers plan to increase their action from Monday by not participating in any current cases before the crown courts. Of the 193 members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) who voted on the proposal, 89% backed a full withdrawal of services. Stormont Justice minister Naomi Long has committed to increasing their fee rates by 16%. Mr Lunny said the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland is headed the same way if the problems are not resolved. The real crisis is that barristers and solicitors firms aren’t doing criminal work because the legal aid rates are so poor,” he said.