# Breakthrough
This year
2023
O'Loughlin fires 2-9 as Clonlara land first Clare senior hurling title in 15 years
Underdogs Crusheen put up a fight but class of unbeaten champions shines through.
20 players to watch out for in the Rugby World Cup
We’ve picked one player from each of the teams in France.
New drug which slows progression of Alzheimer’s disease hailed as a 'turning point'
The health spending watchdog in England is already assessing whether the drug can be used in the NHS.
Welsh regions finally cleared to offer new contracts to players
Prolonged and bitter wrangling led frustrated Wales internationals to threaten a players’ strike during the Six Nations.
Last year
2022
US researchers announce historic nuclear fusion breakthrough
Nuclear fusion is a technology seen as a possible revolutionary alternative power source.
Ireland's Josh van der Flier named World Rugby men's player of the year
Johnny Sexton, van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong, and Tadhg Beirne made the men’s dream team.
Joy at last for Ferns St. Aidan's as they are crowned kings of Wexford
After five previous final defeats – the most recent in 2013 – the Pat Bennett-managed red and whites overcame St. Martin’s, the champions of 2017 and 2019.
'Roscommon need to be more consistent in beating the top two' - Fighting for position in Connacht
Cathal Cregg recently retired after a 15-year career with the Rossies.
'Everything for me is about Munster - and it has been since I started playing rugby'
New Inn man Diarmuid Barron will enjoy his 24th Munster senior appearance this evening like it’s his first and last.
'A game-changing moment': Kidneys from genetically modified pig transplanted into human
Experts now hope to carry out a clinical trial on living humans with serious kidney problems.
All time
'I never would have seen myself last year in the position that I am'
Hannah McLoughlin has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past few years, from adoring fan to Irish hockey star and Olympian.
Scales primed to make impact at Celtic after 'mental' few weeks
‘It was a mad week, signing for Celtic and then getting my first international call-up. Hopefully they complement each other.’
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to be released as UK pays Iran £400m debt - report
Iranian state TV said deals have been reached to release prisoners with Western ties held in Iran.
'A dream of mine ever since I came to the club' - Irish youngster savours Championship debut
Festy Ebosele featured for Derby County against Norwich City.
Antoine Rozner seals first European Tour title with final-round 64
The Frenchman finished two shots clear of a group of four including long-time leader Andy Sullivan.
'There have been dark days over the years' - similarities between Tipp and Ballymun success stories
Paddy Christie has witnessed the rise in fortunes of his home club and adopted county.
Hogg ecstatic as Exeter book semi-final date with Toulouse
Exeter Chiefs defeat Northampton Saints 38-15 to seal the club’s first ever European Champions Cup semi-final spot.
Major breakthrough in UK as cheap steroid is first drug to reduce coronavirus deaths
A study found the steroid cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators.
Infertile cancer patient gives birth after having her eggs frozen, new study reveals
A baby boy was born to a 34-year-old French woman who had been treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Machine keeps human livers alive for a week outside body
The finding may increase the number of available livers for transplant, researchers say.
'A most wonderful Christmas present': HSE to reimburse cost of new cystic fibrosis treatment
About 1,200 children and adults have Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.
Real Madrid find their Pogba within as Valverde proves the catalyst for change
The 21-year-old has become a key figure in Zidane’s second era.
'The biggest thing people have to remember is that Jacob is a really young fella'
The Ireland and Ulster wing is 23-years-old and still striving to find consistency in his game.
John Joe Nevin finally seals fight that could ignite his pro career
The former Olympic silver medallist will fight for a WBA rankings belt next month.
'I'll remember this day for the rest of my life' - Teenage star Gauff wins first WTA title
The 15-year-old triumphed in the final in Linz against Jelena Ostapenko.
Irish teen O'Connor in contention for United debut against Huddersfield
The 18-year-old defender has linked up with the first-team for training ahead of Sunday’s game.
Emiliano Sala's missing plane has been found
The footballer and pilot David Ibbotson were the only people on board.
American promoter working on landmark all-women's pro boxing card this spring
Lou DiBella told BoxingScene that women’s pro boxing card is ‘way beyond its time.’
First baby born via uterus transplanted from dead donor
The baby girl was born in December 2017, The Lancet said.
The Deirdre Jacob case - from missing person file to murder investigation
Deirdre Jacob was last seen within yards of the driveway to her parents’ house.
Iran's largest football stadium to admit thousands of women for the first time since 1979
More than 10,000 tickets were expected to be put on sale for Wednesday’s screening.
'Neurons can't get notions of being muscles': What makes cells with the same DNA act differently?
“Imagine your genes are books in a library…”
New blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease developed by Irish researchers
Doctors have said that early diagnosis of the disease is key for improving the quality of life.
Germany's Social Democrats clear path for Merkel's fourth term
Merkel has been leading Germany for 12 years.
Midleton send champions packing as they power into first Harty Cup final in 12 years
The Cork school will face Limerick’s Ardscoil Rís in the final.
We're one step closer to understanding the 'most mysterious star in the universe'
Tabby’s Star has been inexplicably dimming and brightening sporadically like no other for years.
Scientists at NUI Galway make breakthrough for Parkinson’s disease
The degeneration and death of brain cells that regulate movement is what affects the ability of a person with Parkinson’s to control movement.
New species of orangutan discovered in Indonesia - but it's already endangered
Until recently, scientists thought there were only two genetically distinct types of orangutan.
Scientists fix disease genes in human embryos for the first time
Just over 72% of the embryos ended up being free of a heart disease-causing mutation.
