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14

Munster’s Jack Crowley to miss out on Sam Prendergast derby duel as Leinster’s RG Snyman avoids Limerick return

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Tadhg Beirne returns to captain Munster for tomorrow’s festive Thomond Park clash (KO 7.35, Live TG4) with Leinster but his predecessor Peter O’Mahony will miss out.

10

Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson breaks NFL rushing record for quarterbacks in Houston win

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Lamar Jackson broke the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks in the Baltimore Ravens' victory over the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.

04

Frank Roche: From the ’99 red balloons to Aussie dreams gone by – the GAA has changed an awful lot in 25 years

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Christmas, they say, is a time for reflection. Many of us prefer deflection – any diversionary tactic to avoid reflection in the first place.

‘Wales defeat will hurt for a long time’ – Amber Barrett on recovering from play-off woe and new Ireland boss

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The Christmas break in the season offers a chance to step back from club duties and a new year brings new challenges.

Wayne Bailey: Spillane’s Tower to give Jimmy Mangan and punters a late Christmas gift

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Back in 1987, one of the gifts I got from the man in red was a box of magic tricks.

Patrick Mullins: Kopek Des Bordes could be one of our best novices this season – I expect him to hit the heights at Leopardstown

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Some things push you back in your seat. Others make you lean in. Our flying French filly Lossiemouth taking on the pride of Britain, Constitution Hill, has the capacity to do both.

‘I had great times’ – Kieran Marmion enjoying life in Bristol after eventful decade in Connacht

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In March 2023, it was announced that long-serving Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion would be switching Galway for Bristol, reuniting with Pat Lam at Bristol Bears.

‘The Ireland disappointment is constantly there’ – Munster’s Gavin Coombes eager to prove his worth

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Naturally enough, Gavin Coombes was extremely disappointed to have been left out of Munster’s recent Champions Cup defeat in Castres.

Wednesday, Dec 25

22

Limerick Day 1: Fleur In The Park can provide red-letter day for Andrew Slattery and Cian Quirke

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It’s always good to see more people dining at the top table and tomorrow’s Grade Two Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle (1.33) is a huge day for Andrew Slattery.

Leopardstown Day 1 preview and tips: Better Days Ahead can score for Gordon Elliott

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It’s the racing Christmas dinner with every trimming imaginable around the table as 11 St Stephen’s Day meetings give punters all they could hope for, and more, with the 76-race marathon commencing at 11.40 in Wetherby before eventually…

18

The Nathan Collins interview: ‘I play football for a living but I’m still just a lad from Leixlip’

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With Brentford’s training centre just a short hop from Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, a constant stream of airplanes roar overhead as the large red gates open at the Hounslow venue.

14

‘We are going there fully expecting to get a result’ – Everton bullish ahead of trip to faltering Man City

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James Tarkowski insists Everton’s players head to Manchester City expecting to get a result after some confidence-boosting results against Champions League-chasing teams.

Kempton set for blockbuster St Stephen’s Day as Constitution Hill takes on Lossiemouth

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Conditions are set fair at Kempton ahead of what promises to be a fascinating Ladbrokes King George VI Chase day.

12

Festive blues for West Brom fans as Valencia announce Baggies boss as new manager on Christmas Day

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Valencia have announced West Brom boss Carlos Corberan as their new head coach on a deal until June 2027.

‘He made a mistake, served his punishment and wants to help the team’ – Spurs star finally set for return

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Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is eager to make up for lost time ahead of his return for the Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest.

11

Who are the top 20 greatest Irish players of the Premier League era?

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The Premier League changed the face of football when it launched in 1992 and for a generation of Irish greats, a grand new stage awaited.

Tuesday, Dec 24

19

Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot spends Christmas Eve helping the homeless

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Manchester United star Diogo Dalot has helped serve food to homeless people at a shelter in the city.

Three Six Nations in a row, World Cup progress, Lions tour and a European title – Irish rugby’s 2025 wish list

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From winning the Six Nations to Leinster losing the Champions Cup final, from Andy Farrell’s men losing to the All Blacks to Scott Bemand’s side beating the Black Ferns – 2024 was full of highs and lows for Irish rugby.

18

26-year-old Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger killed in avalanche accident

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Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died following an avalanche accident in Arosa on Monday, the Swiss-Ski federation has announced.

What time, what channel and our predictions for the Premier League’s Christmas fixtures

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The Premier League’s festive fixture list is always crammed with treats to keep us entertained and this year’s offering is waiting to be unwrapped.

17

F1 Academy winner Abbi Pulling – ‘This is what it will take for a woman to race in Formula One’

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As has often been the case in the Formula One paddock throughout 2024, Abbi Pulling is in a buoyant mood. Reflecting on a historic season of success, the 21-year-old from Gosberton in Lincolnshire ponders where her expectations were at the…

Watch: Jose Mourinho provides health update ahead of surgery in Portugal

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Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has taken to social media to tell fans that he is well amid news that he will undergo surgery over the Christmas holidays.

16

Enzo Maresca embracing pressure of Chelsea title challenge but says ‘Manchester City at the end will be there’

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Enzo Maresca has backed Manchester City to bounce back into Premier League title contention and said it is “just reality” that Chelsea are not in the hunt themselves.

Ruben Amorim says he’s not distracted by Rashford absence but admits Man United at one of its ‘lowest moments’ in history

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Defiant Ruben Amorim insists Marcus Rashford’s absence is not a distraction and that he knows what he is doing as the head coach seeks to get the best out of the forward and turn Manchester United around.

‘He is so important for us’ – Pep Guardiola defends Erling Haaland and says Man City problems ‘not about one player’

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Pep Guardiola has stressed Manchester City’s current malaise is not down to one player as he again defended Erling Haaland.

‘Proud Ulsterman’ Jacob Stockdale signs fresh two-year deal with province

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Ulster star Jacob Stockdale has signed a new two-year deal that will keep him at Ravenhill until 2027.

15

‘We are lucky to have him’ – Cody Gakpo hopeful ‘very special’ Mohamed Salah will agree new Liverpool deal

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Cody Gakpo is keeping his fingers crossed that Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah will extend his stay at Anfield.

Indo Sport podcast: Bits & Baubles | Christmas traditions, Stephen's Day missions, New Year wishes

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A festive mood has swept over as Joe, Conan and Ronan assemble for Bits & Baubles!

‘I always said I’d keep going until I can’t go any more’ – jockey Seán Flanagan flying high on all fronts

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They say an idle mind is the devil’s playground but there’s no fear of Seán Flanagan ever being idle.

12

Everton boss Sean Dyche won’t under-estimate struggling Manchester City

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Everton manager Sean Dyche is wary of under-estimating a woefully out-of-form Manchester City, despite his side's growing confidence.