Ireland head coach Declan Kidney knows his side must play with no fear if they are to upset world champions New Zealand on their own patch.

Sun worshippers will finally be able to strip off their winter woollies and bask in some warming rays after weeks of grey skies and rain.

Leinster 42 Ulster 14: Irish province win their third Heineken Cup final in four years by blowing away battling Ulster with five-try display of power, pace and precision

Leinster 42 Ulster 14

A teenage girl has been shot dead and her sister seriously injured in a gun attack in a small village in Northern Ireland.

New Zealander Brad Thorn could create rugby history in tomorrow's Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Ulster at Twickenham.

A contempt of court case taken against Labour MP Peter Hain over criticisms he made of a judge in Northern Ireland will not proceed, the High Court in Belfast ruled today.

A major search for a baby feared lost at sea has been called off after police said they believe initial reports that an infant fell from a ferry were incorrect.

James McClean has closed his Twitter account after receiving death threats following his selection for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 finals squad.

Saturday saw play-off places at stake in the Aviva Premiership and the RaboDirect Pro12, although perhaps the most eye-catching game was the dead rubber at the Madejski Stadium. London Irish's David Paice and Jim Hamilton of Gloucester were sent off for fighting, their second scuffle prompting a mass brawl and lots of bad feeling, and Irish won 52-18. Not that it mattered much.

London Irish have confirmed the signing of fly-half Ian Humphreys from this season's Heineken Cup finalists Ulster.

Passengers will hear next week if new airlines can be attracted to fill the routes left vacant by the sudden shutdown of bmibaby's Belfast flights.

Ireland's deputy prime minister Eamon Gilmore added to the pressure on the country's most senior cleric Cardinal Sean Brady today over his role in a secret child abuse inquiry.