Allianz HL Division 1B: Clare 0-26 Wexford 1-20Wexford’s hopes of promotion back to NHL Division 1A were severely dented as hosts Clare completed a clean sweep of six group wins in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis. Leading for the last hour of the contest and by as much as eight points in each half, the Banner appeared comfortable for the majority. Backed by the conditions, it was only midway through the opening period that Brian Lohan’s side got into their stride. The value of that stop was magnified four minutes later when Simon Roche converted an angled shot past Sheedy to finally kickstart Wexford’s comeback bid. Pat Bennett’s side certainly won’t lack motivation as Carlow crave a victory themselves just to avoid the drop to Division 2.

In 2024, over one hundred million AI girlfriend apps were downloaded by users around the world. According to DCU professor Debbie GIng, this and other emerging technology should be “a serious cause of concern”. The fact that AI girlfriends will tolerate all kinds of abuse, Ging explained, is a “coding decision”, made in a tech industry that is mostly being “built by men”. But it’s not just AI relationship apps that the professor of digital media and gender says should be of concern. You can listen back to the live show in full - recorded at Chapters Bookstore in Dublin - in the player above or search The Women’s Podcast in your usual podcast app.

Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesIt’s International Women’s Day. What does International Women’s Day mean to your average Joan Soap? Carmel’s youngest child will celebrate her 18th birthday on International Women’s Day, but that’s not enough to turn her misty-eyed over the day itself. Claire Ronan feels International Women’s Day “smacks of tokenism. “Every day is fecking Women’s Day in this house”, he announces.

Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a major shake-up after BBC bosses reportedly axed three professional dancers from the hit ballroom show. It is claimed producers want a 'fresh start' for the long-running series, with new presenters also set to be announced soon. According to The Sun, long-running professional dancers Gorka Márquez, 35, and Luba Mushtuk, 36, have been given the axe by TV bosses. A source told the publication: 'There are major changes taking place with dancers having meetings about their contracts over the next few weeks. Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a major shake-up after BBC bosses reportedly axed three professional dancers from the hit ballroom showGorka, who met his partner Gemma Atkinson on the show in 2017, has starred in the series for a decade and featured in three finales.

Double child killer Ian Huntley could get a taxpayer-funded funeral and memorial, and the prison governor will be forced to write a letter of condolence to his family, after he was bludgeoned to death by a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland. Firstly, the governor of the Durham prison, Darren Finley, will have to pen a letter of condolence to Huntley's family and invite them to visit the prison. Triple murderer Anthony Russell, 43, is suspected of launching the brutal assault, which left Huntley 'torn apart like a rat' and lying in a pool of his own blood. Prison sources this weekend suggested to The Mail on Sunday that the issue of Huntley's next of kin had caused a family 'disagreement'. It was previously reported that Huntley wore a red Manchester United football shirt around prison, which infuriated other inmates.

Kylian Mbappe rejects Real Madrid offer after Trent Alexander-Arnold ban forced switchKylian Mbappe has struck up a friendship with Trent Alexander-Arnold but has chosen not to copy his Real Madrid team-mateView Image Kylian Mbappe won't be replicating Trent Alexander-Arnold's choice of ride at Real Madrid (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has declined the club's offer of a brand new BMW i7 despite recently passing his driving test. In doing so, he's rejected the chance to match up with team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the club car park. Such a privilege brings certain benefits when you're among the Real elite, including the provision of a complimentary i7. Having only recently passed his test, Marca reported Mbappe is mindful of tackling more than he can manage with his first regular vehicle. Content cannot be displayed without consent‌Recent footage captured outside the Real training ground showed Mbappe driving out on his own for the first time.

If they lose to France in Paris on Saturday, it will register their worst ever Six Nations performance of just one victory. He said: “After a 12-match winning run, these past three results have been hugely disappointing and we feel that just as much as everyone else. Borthwick declared before the tournament that he wanted the title to be on the line against France in Paris on March 14, but a fifth-placed finish now seems likely. Maro Itoje, right, says Borthwick is ‘a fantastic coach’ (Adam Davy/PA)Itoje, the team’s captain, believes Borthwick should not be in the crosshairs for recent setbacks. Steve is definitely the right guy for the job.

Mounting uncertainty over future of Ireland’s €4bn trade links as Middle East war continues to rageBombings, drone strikes and threats to freight over land and sea have placed significant doubts over how accessible the region will beSmoke billows from Zayed port in Abu Dhabi after an Iranian attack, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Photo: Abdelhadi Ramahi/ReutersSean Pollock Today at 06:30Almost 400 Irish-owned enterprises are currently exporting to the Middle East, including hundreds of SMEs, leaving them exposed as the US and Israeli war with Iran continues.

Photo: Stock iamge/GettyElis, a French multinational commercial laundry and textile rental group, plans to create over 200 jobs near Navan, Co Meath, at a proposed facility near the town. Joanne D’Arcy, CEO of Elis Ireland, said the business was progressing plans for its new laundry facility, representing an investment of “upwards of €30m”. In Ireland, Elis Textile Services grew revenue to €68.2m in 2023, up 41pc. Based in Ballinrobe, OCL Laundry Services was established in 2000 by outgoing owner Alan O’Connor. In Ireland, Elis Textile Services grew revenue to €68.2m in 2023, up 41pc.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, we asked columnists and other well-known faces to reflect on the profound role their mothers have played in shaping their lives. She was originally a teacher and then she became the principal of a large girls school near where we lived. We were just totally encompassed and brought into the family, you know, loved beyond doubt. So now, I occasionally take my kids out of school myself and we have a day off together. I’m replicating some of those things that my mother did that meant a lot to me when we were kids.

On the evening of January 10, Mae Banks got a phone call from the best friend of her 16-year-old son Nathan. 'I remember going to the GameStop with my friends and when we were leaving, we crossed the street,' Nathan told the Daily Mail in an interview. Mae and her husband, Major Banks, were in the car together at the time and immediately rushed over to the chaotic scene. It took about 10 minutes for first responders to find a weak pulse in Nathan, Mae told the Daily Mail. Nathan told the Daily Mail he often thinks about how his friends and family are doing and hopes they can eventually overcome the trauma of witnessing the accident.

The association representing home care providers has called on the HSE to end its home support allocation model, which it claims creates an “unnecessary administrative burden”. Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI), which represents independent private and non-profit home care providers, wants to see the phasing out of the HSE’s model for allocating home care hours. Under the model, HCCI said home care referrals are issued simultaneously to all approved providers, who must respond immediately to secure the allocation. The HCCI said reforming the current referral model is essential to “delivering a sustainable, fair, and person-centred home support system aligned with Sláintecare and the needs of Ireland’s ageing population”. The HCCI is calling for a “nationwide client choice model”, building on consumer-directed home support, which has operated in parts of Ireland since 2018.

Ellen Woodman, aged 11 and 4ft 3in tall, was sentenced to seven days' hard labour for stealing iron in 1873. Another young thief, 12-year-old Jane Farrell, was sentenced to ten days' hard labour for stealing two boots. The teenager had no previous convictions so was spared jail but was sentenced to two months hard labour. Isabella Hindmarch, 16, was also given a month's hard labour for her first offence of stealing money. Another prostitute, 27-year-old Sarah Cassidy, was charged six times for breaking by-laws and stealing money.

If Ryan Murphy's Love Story told the truth about Carolyn Bessette, no one would want to emulate her. Hannah, 65, famously dated John F Kennedy Jr right before Carolyn Bessette — in fact, John was likely cheating on Hannah with Bessette. Here's the truth about Carolyn Bessette: She was the one with the cocaine problem. Kennedy also had a drug habitAnd Carolyn Bessette was violent. In Murphy's retelling, the fight was simply about Bessette's reluctance to accept John's marriage proposal — a crucible they had to endure to get to real love.

“Old Park Star is a lovely youngster and we’re very lucky to have him. “It’s the race on the day that matters and we’re going into it having put up three really good runs. “Act Of Innocence seemed to thrive for the step up in trip at Huntingdon and with our fingers crossed, we’ve got two horses with great chances,” Hall told the Press Association. It can be hard at times, but we love it,” added Hall. “The build up has been different to previous as you are seeing your horse’s photographs everywhere and in the press and commenting about them.