League of Ireland review:Shamrock Rovers stretched their lead at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Euro 2012 qualifiers review:Russia and Slovakia followed the Republic of Ireland's lead and registered wins over Group B minnows in the opening round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Glasgow Warriors 22 Leinster 19:Leinster succumbed to a stirring comeback from Sean Lineen's Glasgow young guns at Firhill to open new coach Joe Schmidt's tenure with a dispiriting defeat from a game they should have had wrapped up on the hour.

Ulster 27 Ospreys 26:Ulster opened their Magners League campaign by taking the scalp of champions Ospreys in a pulsating game at Ravenhill. The lead changed hands several times and the match was in the balance until the end, but first-half tries from Stephen Ferris and Darren Cave helped Ulster to victory, while Niall O'Connor kicked five penalties and a conversion for a 17-point haul.

A major earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit New Zealand, 30 kilometre west of Christchurch earlier today, causing no immediate reports of casualties but widespread damage, authorities said.

Police launched a murder inquiry tonight after a man’s body was found at an apartment in Co Armagh.

An inquiry into the fitness to practise of two doctors following the removal of a wrong kidney from a child at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, ended this evening with the medics being cleared of professional misconduct.

A suicide bomber struck a rally in the Pakistani city of Quetta today, killing at least 54 people in the second major attack this week, piling pressure on a government struggling with a flood crisis.

Soccer:Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his side’s Euro 2012 qualifying rivals they face the sternest of tests in Armenia. The 71-year-old saw his men battle their way past the Armenians at the Yerevan Republican Stadium tonight courtesy of substitute Keith Fahey’s 76th-minute strike.

Gardaí in Leixlip, Co Kildare, are seeking the public's help to find a missing girl.

Armenia 0 Republic of Ireland 1:The Republic of Ireland left it until late to break down a tough and at times dangerous Armenia but took all three points from their opening European Championship Group B  qualifier 1-0 thanks to substitute Keith Fahey's first international goal.

Golf:Miguel Angel Jimenez produced the lowest round of his 27-year European Tour career in Switzerland today. Two eagles and six birdies gave the 46-year-old Ryder Cup star a 10 under par 61 in the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre and he goes into the weekend with a three-stroke lead.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will get funding to recruit additional staff to enable them achieve their job creation targets for the year, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe pledged today.

A cargo plane crashed on a busy highway in Dubai today, setting some cars on fire, Al Arabiya television reported.

Worshippers believed to be trapped inside a blazing Hare Krishna temple in Leicester after an explosion today have all been accounted for, the fire and rescue service said.

Dublin City Council has disputed claims that it could terminate the contract for the proposed Poolbeg incinerator in Ringsend without having to pay millions of euro in compensation.

Soccer:Daryl Murphy was relieved to make an early impact at Celtic by opening his goalscoring account for his new club. The Irish striker converted from the penalty spot to claim the only goal of the game in last weekend’s game at Motherwell.

President Mary McAleese will make a four-day visit to Russia next week in a bid to build business links between the countries.

Hurricane Earl hit North Carolina's coast with rain, winds and heavy surf today before moving up the US eastern seaboard toward New England and Canada.

Rail services on the Rosslare to Waterford line are set to close within weeks, following this afternoon’s decision by the National Transport Authority to approve Irish Rail plans for closure.