Racing centre stage in mild weather
After a number of years of nervous Christmas’s, rearranged schedules and blows to the bottom line, the sport of horse racing is able to relax today as the full complement of popular and lucrative Christmas Festival meetings take place around Ireland and Britain.  15,000 are expected at Leopardstown where the Racing Post is headline sponsor for the first time.  There is also racing at Limerick while across the Irish Sea, Kauto Star and Long Run head an illustrious cast for the William Hill King George Chase.
Kenny and O’Neill expected to be named in new posts
Stephen Kenny has handed his notice to Derry City and is expected to be named as the new manager of Shamrock Rovers this week.  He lived in Tallaght until he was 20 years old.  His predecessor Michael O’Neill is expected to be approved as the new manager of Northern Ireland after an IFA meeting to take place on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Sony to part with Women’s Tennis
The optimum lifespan of a major sponsorship was once again in the spotlight when Sony chose Christmas Eve to announce that it would no longer be associated with the Women’s Tennis Association after 2012.  This will be the eighth and final year of a deal that has generated well over $60 million in sponsorship revenue for the sport.
Packers edge towards repeat
The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears to secure home field advantage throughout the NFC Championship play-offs.  The Packers are bidding to become the fifth team to achieve repeat Superbowl wins since 1989 after the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Bronco’s and San Fransisco 49’ers.