It was made out to be more serious than it actually was Mickey Harte on the violent scenes that marred the league game between Tyrone and Dublin The truth is there were some instances, that had they occurred on the street, people would be up for GBH.

That's one step down from attempted murder If you were cynical, you'd think Ian Paisley jnr was jumping at the chance to get stuck into Ireland's national game People talk about the northern teams being cynical, but the most cynical team in the country is based down south. Coming in with the straight elbow and trying to intimidate our players into retaliating was part of the Kerry game plan Cork manager Billy Morgan after his side's league game with Kerry I put an oil can on top of that barrel and I joked that I imagined Harry Bohan's head on the target and I hit him every time Ger Loughnane thanks Clare selector Fr Harry Bohan for his improved aim I was absolutely disgusted with what went on in Thurles that day. It was absolutely sickening. Never in my life had I to put up with what went on that day. There was just no place for it Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald does little to improve relations between himself and the Cork supporters after the Munster semi-final I just go down the local for a pint. Babs has put a ban on the drinking alright but sure what he doesn't know can't hurt him Tipperary captain Ger 'Redser' O'Grady. And we thought he was joking Hurling is like an old country house where the front has been maintained. It looks grand from the road but when you go inside you find the place is falling down Galway manager Conor Hayes after a facile win over Laois in the qualifiers The way Cork celebrated after beating us in the semifinal, I think it was their All Ireland "nal. If any team was going to beat them this year, it was us Waterford's Dan Shanahan. Here's hoping he stayed clear of the bookies This is the most magnificent feeling in the world. The present one [All Ireland] is the best one by a long shot. I suppose this is the first time we were looked at as a team that couldn't win it. That doesn't happen often in Kilkenny and probably won't happen again Brian Cody on All Ireland win number four This is 20 times more satisfying than 2004. I mean we took a lot of heat during the year, we were written off at different times. And I did think a share of that criticism was unfair. For some reason I seemed to be the target of a lot of it. But the best way to answer your critics is on the pitch. And you know this is not the same Kerry team that's won 34 All Irelands. None of us have 34 All Ireland medals here. Mayo may have been waiting 55 years, but we were waiting one year. And that was long enough for us down in Kerry Jack O'Connor guides an impatient Kerry to 4-15 to 3-5 win over Mayo in the All Ireland final Ten points in the "rst 10 minutes was too much. Kerry were never going to let us off the hook after that. They had the "sh caught. The lads showed a great wee spark to bring it back to six and we thought we could get it going again but we never got the scores on the board.

We've got to give credit to a great defence. They sorted us out Mickey Moran eventually emerged from the Mayo dressing room to talk; he'd never return Where the mind goes the body follows. It was painfully obvious in the "rst 15 minutes our boys were following their minds. There was a bit of naivety and apprehension with coming up against Kerry and they suffered for it. You can tell it in the body language. Normally boys who would be aggressively marking from the side or front all year started marking from behind. Boys weren't going for catches they would normally go for John Morrison on what went wrong The aim is to win the All Ireland. Absolutely. I don't aim for anything else. If I haven't won the All Ireland after the "rst year, that year will be failure Ger Loughnane sets out his stall for 2007 after being announced as Galway manager

THIS WAS EPIC - EUROPE ROMP TO RYDER CUP So far his captaincy has been the most pathetic I've ever seen. I haven't spoken to him for six months and now I find I'm not in the team by watching television Thomas Bjorn before the Ryder Cup It was fantastic, it was a performance that was out of this world . . . and for any European-born player that's just brilliant to watch Thomas Bjorn after the Ryder Cup I think Darren and Heather were exceptionally brave and so dignified about what they've gone through Padraig Harrington following the death of Darren Clarke's wife after a long battle with cancer This is as good as it gets. The support I've had is something I will cherish forever A brave and emotional Clarke after winning all three of his matches at the K Club It's very emotional, I just can't say enough about my team. They played absolutely fantastic. I can hand it on to Faldo now for four in a row European captain Ian Woosnam is happy to pass the baton and the pressure on to the skipper for 2008 I need to just tip my hat completely to the European team. I don't know if there has ever been a European team that has played better American captain Tom Lehman is dignified in heavy defeat I managed to achieve one of my ambitions in life. I did a bit of crowd surfing, that was very pleasing Padraig Harrington kills two birds with a single stone at the K Club Experience is overrated. I'm hoping to get guys on the team that say 'dude' New US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger decided it's time for a different approach. And adds to the pressure on Nick Faldo, dude

WAITING OVER - MUNSTER WIN THE HEINEKEN CUP This bunch of guys have had tough experiences over the years but have tried to learn every time they have lost.

That experience of losing helped them today Declan Kidney after Munster get their hands on the holy grail thanks to an emotional 23-19 win over Biarritz At times out there it was awesome to see the amount of red. Over the years they [the supporters] have been putting their hands in their pocket to follow us around Europe and it's great that we can give them some silverware. We all just feel like one, that's the big thing about this team Anthony Foley after the Cardiff triumph To be the one to go up there and pick up the silverware is a great feeling. I felt we deserved it over the year. As a player there is nothing that will ever surpass your first international cap. That is the ultimate. But what we achieved today is magni"cent. It's a journey which is not over yet . . . it's just another station on the way. We can kick on from here and if we do we can compete for this trophy for a number of years to come Anthony Foley continues We waited so long, I can't ask for more than the 100 per cent the guys have given. It has been a long time, we have worked hard. It was about honesty from one to 22. We are delighted with the win. We worked extremely hard in the "rst half and we tried to produce the same performance in the second.

Man of the Match Peter Stringer who broke from the scrum and went over for the crucial score My own was only a small part . . . it was a long trip and we "nally reached our destination . . . this was for the Munster fans Stringer pays tribute to the Red Army

STAN'S THE MAN? THINK AGAIN I don't know what quali"cations he has got apart from being a good player Jack Charlton does his best to pay Steve Staunton a compliment, we think This is not a dream team. It's a compromise that barely tiptoes into the category of acceptability Pat Dolan looks into his crystal ball. We'll never doubt him again I'm the boss, I'm the gaffer. At the end of the day, whatever I say goes. The buck stops with me If only Steve had stuck by his word It's a long season for everyone but the Chileans are preparing for the World Cup so they're going to be that much sharper and I suppose it turned out that way Any excuse will do for Kevin Doyle after Ireland's 1-0 loss at home to Chile, who incidentally had come nowhere near qualifying for the World Cup It will be hard to pick them up but with a few club games under their belts their "tness will be better and they'll get their con"dence back. Hopefully they'll learn from this and learn what we're trying to do After a 4-1 home drubbing by Holland, any excuse will do for Stan The worst Irish match I have ever seen leaves me in no doubt that Steve Staunton must go But not for Eamon Dunphy I am absolutely delighted with the performance, but I knew they would give it before the game. The back four was magni"cent all through Staunton celebrates the glory of defeat after being pipped in Stuttgart by Germany Of course I am [embarrassed]. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and like everybody else I'm embarrassed. I think the lads in there are a little bit embarrassed. We know we should be coming here and winning. I can't believe the standard of defending. It was as if they'd never played with each other before. But this job is certainly not beyond me. We are in a transition period even though we had an experienced side out there tonight. But I'm not walking away Ireland's worst ever result, a 5-2 loss to Cyprus, has Staunton a little red That's the vagaries of international football FAI President David Blood after the Nicosia shambles. Please, somebody call an ambulance

THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET I really wonder if Eriksson has dropped Shaun just to get back at me. I've slaughtered him in the past because I'm a passionate England fan and have never been convinced by him Ian claims his son was omitted from the England squad for Germany because of his efforts as a pundit. Could that ambulance call round by the Wright household on the way?

If Brazil win the World Cup again it loses it's charm. One person can decide a game . . . the referee. Bribing is not just about money. There are other ways too. The kidnapping of a relative, other types of debts. The economic interest will always win out Brazil legend Socrates goes loco This tour takes the rarely seen trophy . . . the jewel in the crown of world football . . . to fans around the world with the aim of spreading happiness and hope to make the world a better place Fifa President Sepp Blatter attempts to solve global troubles You know nothing about football, nothing, so don't break my balls between now and the World Cup Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe lays down the law nice and early Too much noise, too much samba Ronaldinho asked about the atmosphere at Brazil games Rivals try to offend me due to my teeth but it doesn't bother me Nothing can take the smile from Ronaldinho's face, even those dentures Rooney is obviously a very good player and he is someone I love to play against. But the fact he is probably still not totally "t gives us a boost. Perhaps I can give his foot a bit of a kick to test it out Honesty and kicking are the best policy for Ecuador's full-back Ulises De La Cruz ahead of the second-round clash with England I am not married to David Beckham, even if you think I am. I'm not even engaged to him Sven begins to lose it I will personally send my players to see their wives if they reach the semis. Those who don't feel like it, I'll just drag them to their wives. Take my word for it Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin before the quarter-final showdown with Italy. For the record they lost 3-0 I will aim for Jens Lehmann's head. It either falls off or the ball goes in Carlos Tevez on possibility of shoot-out with Germany. Turns out there was a penalty shoot out, Argentina lost and Tevez ended the year at West Ham. Poor guy When are you going to stop all this bollocks?

Michael Ballack is seen in an Italian t-shirt. A journalist asks Oliver Kahn will he be supporting them. The journalist gets what was coming to him It's a bit like when we beat Portugal in the semi-"nals of Euro '84. The commentators at the time said, 'Who cares about drunkenness as long as we've got the bottle' Michel Platini sounds like he still has the bottle as France progress to World Cup final He should have his balls chopped off What Zinedine Zidane's mother allegedly said after that incident in the World Cup final You are a virtuoso, and a genius and an exceptional human being. That is why France admires you President Jacques Chirac does a little more than forgive Zidane I did not call Zidane a terrorist and certainly did not mention his mother Marco Materazzi denies any wrongdoing We both spoke and I wasn't the "rst. I held his shirt but don't you think it's provocation to say, 'If you want my shirt I will give it to you afterwards'? I replied to Zidane that I would prefer his sister, that is true. I certainly don't have to apologise to him. If anything, I owe apologies to his sister, although, I swear, before this mess I didn't know Zidane had a sister Marco Materazzi keeps on going England were shit at the World Cup. They were no good.

They were nothing Croatia manager Slaven Bilic We are not a good side New England captain John Terry agrees Ray Stubbs was doing this party trick where he got two pints of German beer and necked 'em before everyone else "nished the theme tune to Match of the Day. He did four or "ve of them and was pissed as a c**t. Every time I see him now on Grandstand, I'm like, 'See Ray Stubbs?

He's a f**king legend!' Hansen's going to me, 'You picked the wrong f**king team supporting City', while Lineker was tearing into Sven Goran-Eriksson. It was the best night I've had in years Noel Gallagher confirms there were some English who enjoyed the World Cup. Problem was they were all the BBC's post-World Cup part

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX, BABY Nina's some bird. She's just different class and nicked that one. Her ride was just something else Enda Bolger after Good Step with Nina Carberry on board wins at Punchestown In the 21st century, it is just morally indefensible that women competitors in a Grand Slam tournament should be receiving considerably less prize money than their male counterparts. Women got the vote in Britain in 1918, and the Sex Discrimination Act has been in force for over 30 years, yet Wimbledon continue to take a Victorian view when it comes to pay WTA Tour chief Executive Larry Scott We didn't open the event up to women hoping they would not enter but the reverse. Having taken such a step it would be a great shame if women golfers didn't take advantage of the opportunity R&A chief executive Peter Dawson speaks after women eligible to qualify for British Open snub the tournament She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist, but I am a sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that. Bringing women into the game is not the way to improve refereeing and of"cialdom. This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? Is it tokenism for the politically correct idiots Luton manager Mike Newell loses the plot after Amy Rayner flagged for corner from which QPR scored.

We think he likes her

IDENTITY CRISIS Not only is this a great day for Irish sport but it's a great day for Ireland. Like Van the Man said, 'Nobody told us there would be days like these' Sean Kelly announcing that Croke Park is set to be opened for the first time to both rugby and soccer during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Think of what the alternative is. They'd be playing over in England and England was never a home for the people of Ireland. We spent 800 years trying to send them home Settle Sean, you've already left your legacy I would never compete against Ireland. That is the country where I was born and bred, but this is an exception Sonia O'Sullivan before the Commonwealth Games where she looked set compete for Australia. In the end it never materialised I don't think so Neil Lennon is asked if he'd cheer on an English side managed by Martin O'Neill In a war, if you are going to "ght the Germans, and you don't have any generals, you don't ask to borrow one because they've got four Terry Venables throws his hat into the ring for a BNP nomination while criticising the number of foreign players in the Premiership Robbie Keane is not English, but he is British Tottenham manager Martin Jol gets confused when discussing his Tallaght striker We know what to expect from British teams, particularly Irish ones PSG manager Guy Lacombe gets confused when discussing his Uefa Cup opponents, Derry City With Croke Park now open for soccer, we would love to host the Champions League "nal there. But that is a longer discussion with a deeper political issue to be resolved Uefa general secretary, Lars-Christer Olsson

ASHES TO ASHES. . .

He's one of those characters, when he wears the white umpire's coat, he metamorphoses into a mini-Hitler. The pride of an entire people has been tarnished by Hair's ludicrous and highly insensitive decision Former Pakistan captain Imran Kahn after Darrell Hair incites his countrymen, leading to a test abandonment for the first time If he is seeing a psychologist already then I think it's a bit ridiculous. Yes, it is a bit soft. When we go to England, we cop it hard time, we don't see a psychologist beforehand.

Glenn McGrath on Monty Panesar The terrorist has got another wicket Dean Jones, from the back of a Colombo commentary box, refers to South African cricketer and Muslim Hashim Amla. The comment would go live to air on South African TV and Jones commentating career would soon be over Losing the Ashes in 2005 was one of the lowlights of my career but right now is one of the more special times. We have been very good, there's no doubt about it. I think all the hard work has come through in our play, we've turned it round and played some unbelievably good cricket. It's a huge occasion for us and to win the Ashes the way we have has been unbelievable Australia captain Ricky Ponting after victory in the third test wins back the coveted urn ANGRY WORDS You are nothing but a donkey Mido to Egypt coach Hassan Shehata after he was taken off in the African Nations Cup semi-final I was leaving the grounds with my pregnant wife and "veyear-old daughter at half-time in the second match when I was set upon by this group of supporters but received no real damage apart from a bite in the chest, we left as soon as possible but not before I was told my home would be "re-bombed that night Anonymous website posting, after the intermediate hurling semi-final in which county? You've got it in one. Wicklow, as Glenealy took on St Patrick's I would have been in a lot more trouble if I hit him. A lot more trouble. It was just a headlock. If I wanted to hit him, I would have hit him. But I didn't, I just had him in a headlock Australia's Brendan Fevola gets ready for the second test with the help of a Galway bartender.

Having been sent home, his teammates were able to fill in for him in Croke Park All week it has been highlighted what they were going to do to him [Graham Geraghty]. I've never done this before in my life but I never was as vexed in my life in all my years involved [in the GAA]. I love to see our lads having an international outlet but not like that. I've never minded being beaten but for them to stand up and say at the end of the "rst quarter, 'We softened them up' and so on. . .

Don't give me that as sportsmanship. Don't give me that as trying to promote it [International Rules] seriously.

That's thuggery. That's all it is. Don't tell me its sour grapes. Anybody who has ever known me all my life has never seen that. For people to say that we started this is pure and utter bullshit Sean Boylan refuses to take on board the Australian version after Ireland are beaten in every way possible in the second test Every time Australia win, this series is coming to an end.

Unbelievable. You're the greatest con men I've ever met. I think Ireland were the aggressors last week and this week While Kevin Sheedy refuses to take on board the Irish version

SOME SPECIAL ONES - JOSE MOURINHO'S YEAR Envy is the gun of the incompetent Mourinho on, well, we're not really sure Can Messi be suspended for acting? Barcelona is a very cultural city. You know all about theatre. You have theatres of high quality there.

Mourinho on Lionel Messi as Chelsea exit the Champions League to Barcelona For me pressure is bird "u. I'm serious. I'm feeling a lot of pressure with the problem in Scotland. It's not fun and I'm more scared of it than football. Football is nothing compared with life. For me bird "u is the drama of the last few days. I'll have to buy a mask Mourinho on the bird flu He is one of the players we consider non-negotiable so he has no chance to leave. He has to play for Chelsea. If he plays with happiness, fantastic, we get the best of him. If he doesn't play with happiness, he doesn't play. So it's his problem Mourinho on Didier Drogba Training two times a day, I have no time to spend with long hair. I also want to push young players to have a proper haircut, not the rastafarians they have. For me, I changed the look, maybe my face is more aggressive, to prepare myself for football, to be ready for war Mourinho on a new cut We are on top at the moment but not because of the club's "nancial power. We are in contention for a lot of trophies because of my hard work Mourinho on an ego trip THE WINNERS. . .

I had a bit of a problem coming off the 10th hurdle and almost staggered but at that stage I was only thinking about getting to the line and nothing was going to stop me. I went out to win it and that was all I could do and to get a silver medal is the greatest thrill of my life Already an indoor world champion, Derval O'Rourke takes a European silver medal behind Susan Kallur in the 100m hurdles I have always had a lot of faith in this horse and I have always said he is one of the best I ever had and I think he proved that War Of Attrition's trainer Mouse Morris after winning the Gold Cup The facts are these. I am the greatest player in the world and if I play to my ability I will beat anyone. That's not being arrogant Phil Taylor after beating Peter Manley in the PDC World Darts final, taking his 11th crown in the process I played this game to win a championship. I'm a champion and I think the Bus's last stop is here in Detroit Jerome 'The Bus' Bettis after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Seattle Seahawks to win the Superbowl in his home town of Detroit At that moment it just came pouring out and all of the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf. I just wish he could have seen it one more time Tiger Woods talks about winning the British Open so soon after the death of his father I had to laugh at one stage at how well I was playing Roger Federer caps another year of tennis domination, winning the Masters Cup in Shanghai, China . . .

AND THE LOSERS I will now take the matter to the High Court Kieren Fallon after failing to have his racing suspension in Britain lifted Over the course of his long riding career, Kieren Fallon has been tested by authorities all over the world, and the results have always been negative. In this case, only trace levels were detected, and these are considerably lower than generally accepted thresholds for positive results.

Kieren is dismayed at this turn of events but understands that France Gallop has no alternative.

It gets worse, too. Fallon's solicitor, Christopher Stewart Moore, explains after the jockey tests positive for cocaine in France When I'm on the street people show me a lot of affection, but I never get that inside the Bernabeu. I have never felt at home in the stadium. I have never felt loved there Ronaldo just wants some TLC I don't know if the referee was wearing a Barcelona shirt because they kicked me all over the place. The referee did not want us to win and he should have said so from the off Thierry Henry's comforts himself with conspiracy theories as Arsenal fall in the Champions League final to Barcelona The fact is we are at the foot of the table, although I do tell the players we are the 20th best team in the country Mick McCarthy as Sunderland sink in the Premiership with the worst-ever record I was down after the game, more so this morning. I feel pretty depressed, suicidal It's just a game. Wales' Gavin Henson gets a little worked up after a disappointing defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations We knew over here it was about silencing the crowd.

Today the band played. The players are stunned Andy Robinson on a 31-6 loss in Paris So Andy, time to go?

First question at press conference following England's Twickenham loss to Argentina I was "icking my lighter, "dgeting, talking to someone else on the aisle. I had no intention of lighting the paper. It was a freak accident. I was not concentrating Paul Carberry tells those in court how he started a fire on a flight back from Malaga. Accidentally

FINALLY, TIME TO SAY GOODBYE When I got as far as the car park, two fellas jumped out of a white van and ushered me into a side room, just two doors away apparently from where the players were locked in. They dismissed me on the spot Former Sligo manager Dom Corrigan on being relieved of his lif. . . job We all know the reasons why Mike Ruddock has gone, but we all have to stick to the of"cial reason given when approached by the media Rugby official in Cardiff on the dismissal of the Wales coach F**k your team and f**k your country Marlon King's alleged farewell to Jamaican FA chief Crenston Boxhill On the occasion of my departure I leave very much hoping that rather than sacri"cing any more England victories and sacri"cing more quality coaches, that the professional game in this country admits that the current structure and system for developing elite rugby players and performance in the international arena is not working Andy Robinson refuses to blame himself for a horrendous year suffered by English rugby The dream has "nished Owner John Murphy after Moscow Flyer bids farewell People used to tell me you'll know when your time is up, when the time is right. I'd like to go out on top. I want to go out on my terms. I'd like to think I've earned that right Named by Wisden as one of their five greatest cricketers of the last century, and the highest wicket-taker of all time, Shane Warne announces it's all over after the current Ashes I just haven't the urge. I haven't been bursting to get out so that's a good indication that the time is right After nine Leinster titles, five All Irelands and nine All Stars, DJ Carey brings an end to the magic