The Republic of Ireland could face close rivals Scotland and Northern Ireland in the next bout of Nations League action in a new-look calendar that sees four games crammed into one international window in the autumn.
Agriculture minister Martin Heydon has expressed his full confidence in Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin. In a statement, Mr Heydon backed the embattled chair, saying the board had a "good and thorough" discussion. "Mr Murrin has built a major Irish food company, with a range of global food brands," Mr Heydon said. Mr Heydon said his Department and Bord Bia were doing "everything possible to support them". “If Bord Bia is to have any chance of restoring this, then the chair must be removed.”ICMSA president Denis Drennan also confirmed he supported a motion of no confidence in Mr Murrin, saying the credibility of Bord Bia had been severely damaged.
Former Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley dies aged 61Despite chronic health problems, the popular politician from Cork amazed all who knew him with his passion and energy in working for the common goodMEP Brian Crowley attracted huge volumes of votes that other politicians could only dream of. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/ProvisionRalph Riegel Today at 11:45Former Ireland South MEP Brian Crowley has died.
Tributes have been paid following the death of former Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley, a West Cork native who served in the European Parliament for two decades. Mr Crowley died in the early hours of this morning at Cork University Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment. Picture: Denis MinihaneTánaiste Simon Harris said Mr Crowley served both Fianna Fáil and the country with “distinction” for 20 years. Cork Lord Mayor, Fianna Fáil's Fergal Dennehy paid tribute to Mr Crowley, saying the former MEP had "extraordinary electoral popularity". However, Mr Crowley defended his absences, saying he continued to deal with constituency issues while in hospital.
Former president Mary Robinson has criticised Trump’s Board of Peace, describing it as the “board of the power of one Trump imperial idea”. The US President Donald Trump launched his Board of Peace this week where representatives from 19 countries signed the document. Mr Trump described the board could be “one of the most consequential bodies ever created”, although detail on the scope of the board was scant.
Tottenham have opened talks with Liverpool over the signing of Scotland captain Andy Robertson, Press Association understands. Robertson has made 363 appearances for Liverpool since he joined from Hull in 2017 but has found his starting spot taken this season by summer recruit Milos Kerkez and has entered the final six months of his contract at Anfield. Liverpool vice-captain Robertson revealed earlier this months talks were still taking place with the club over a new deal but Spurs have entered preliminary discussions with their Premier League rivals over securing the services of the 31-year-old, PA understands. Atletico Madrid attempted last summer to sign Robertson, who opted to stay at Anfield but could now swap Merseyside for London. Tottenham have struggled under Thomas Frank in recent months and first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie has been hampered by injury problems, which would open the door for Robertson to take on a fresh challenge and earn more regular football.
Harry Styles says it is ‘hard to tell’ if he will still make music in 20 yearsBy Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Senior Entertainment ReporterFormer One Direction star Harry Styles has said it is “hard to tell” whether he will still be making music in 20 or 30 years’ time. Asked whether he would still be releasing music in another 20 or 30 years by Scott Mills on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Styles said: “It’s so hard to tell, I love music so much, so it’s hard for me to imagine me not making music, and as the future comes on and how, what shape that takes in my life and stuff. I Feel Like A Woman singer Twain, DJ Jamie XX, rising electroclash duo Fcukers, Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn and Blue Lights singer Jorja Smith. The tour, which will last seven months, will see Styles’ Wembley Stadium run begin on June 12, and 30 shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Styles will also head to Australia for the tour, spending two nights in both Sydney and Melbourne.
For sure it has a leafier, ‘village’ feel and is that bit closer to Cork city, but each location has a commuter rail link that is both reliable and frequent. Travel time to Cork city from Carrigtwohill by rail is less than 20 minutes. Built in 2021 by Cork-based Murnane & O’Shea, the scheme – just 15km east of Cork city – is popular with first time buyers. “Carrigtwohill is a really strong location, says Ms Hegarty, adding that her guide price for No 24 is €420,000. Good transport links make Carrigtwohill a practical option for workers who can’t afford to buy homes in the city.
The result is spot on — ‘To be happier, consider a habit that will help you make meaningful progress by taking consistent action’. Maybe the key to happiness,” Rubin says. Often, what results is a reckoning that leads to a break-up or a career change, and ultimately to a happier life. Feeling right asks, “Does your life reflect your values?” Lastly, there’s growth, which is inextricably linked to happiness. It’s not selfish to strive to be happier, Rubin believes.
And you feed off that buzz of regular matches without the absolute bearpit tension of championship. It’s a vital test of all the systems and preparation you’ve put in place. It’s the place where you can find out, to some extent, if that new fella has the stuff you’re nearly certain he has. It’s when you can lay down the odd marker, but also test some plan you might have hatched for later on. Maybe only for half an hour, in case too many catch on to it.
United States president Donald Trump received a courtesy visit from his ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, as Air Force One sat on the tarmac at Shannon Airport on Thursday afternoon. Donald Trump made an infamous speech at Davos. US president Donald Trump on a video monitor as he addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos. So, you can start with a kerfuffle but in the end, the United States and Europe are great allies. The Trump administration works as an endless series of entirely unpredictable and, often, unconnected days.
George Furbank returns to England squad for Guinness Six NationsBy Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union CorrespondentGeorge Furbank has been named in England’s squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations with Greg Fisilau also included as one of three uncapped players. England head coach Steve Borthwick (Ben Whitley/PA) Photo by Ben WhitleyCentre Ollie Lawrence (knee) and Fin Smith (calf) are also among those who will be receiving treatment next week. Head coach Steve Borthwick has set-up a three-way shootout at inside centre by selecting Seb Atkinson, Fraser Dingwall and Max Ojomoh with each of them in with a chance of facing Wales on February 7th. “We’ve picked a squad with a good balance of experience, leadership and exciting potential,” Borthwick said. “If we prepare well and keep demanding the highest levels from one another, it puts us in the strongest possible position when the Championship begins.”
The atrium of the Savoy Cinema Cork in 1973. Crowds flock to the steps of the Savoy Cinema, Cork during Cork Film Festival. Vittorio de Sica Italian director of 'Bicycle Thieves' leaving the Savoy Cinema Cork. Children queue to see 'David Copperfield' at the Savoy Cinema, Cork city centre on January 23, 1936. Interior views of the Savoy Cinema CorkRolling Stones playing at the Savoy Cork on the 8th January 1965.
LATEST | Simon Harris doubles down on opposition to Trump’s Board of Peace after Taoiseach leaves door open‘Absurd’ plan will have Vladimir Putin, Victor Orban, Benjamin Netanyahu and Aleksandr Lukashenko among membersTánaiste says Donald Trump 'backed down' over Greenland after EU responseMary Regan and Maeve McTaggart Today at 11:50Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he "can't see any scenario" in which Ireland could take part in US president Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
Employee ownership is an innovative way to boost key staff retention and to attract new talent into smaller companies. One Irish SME that is aligning employee equity with its talent strategy is EHS International, a consultancy delivering training, fire and rescue, recruitment, and support services. EHS International is putting up to a quarter of the company’s value into the hands of its people across five phases (2025–2029). In this Q&A interview, Chris Mee, founder of EHS International, explains the logic behind this strategic move by the company’s talent retention strategy. What kinds of new strategies are you using at EHS in relation to talent retention in a tight labour market?
