WATCH: One of America's biggest TV shows introduces the USA to hurling

Thanks to the miracle of satellite television, hurling has been given huge exposure to the wider world.

Audiences globally have been astounded by the skill of the players and passion of the fans, with this year's hurling championship a superb advertisement for the sport.

Emmy award winning TV show "60 minutes" has now picked up the sport and are set to feature it on their show this month.

Wayne Rooney, Philippe Coutinho & Diego Costa are all on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or according to this leaked document

This year's Ballon d'Or will more than likely end up in the hands of either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo again, but according to Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo, the shortlist for the award has already been set. 

They claim to have gotten their hands on a leaked version of the names that will be in consideration for the award, and there are plenty of Premier League players on it. 

WATCH: Fox News gives a confusing explanation of the IRA during Oregon shooting

In reporting the news that Chris Harper-Mercer had posted pictures supporting the IRA on his Myspace page, Fox News presenter Sean Hannity asked a contributor on his show, ‘Hannity’, what the significance was of the IRA pictures. And the response was a little confusing.

Taoiseach in tribute to beloved playwright Brian Friel, on his death

Tributes are being paid to playwright Brian Friel, who has died at the age of 86.

The Northern Irish dramatist wrote more than 30 plays in his lifetime - but was best known for his multi award-winning play Philadelphia, Here I Come! which features on the school curriculum. He wrote it in 1964.

The Tony award-winning Dancing at Lughnasa and Translations are among his other great works. 

As testament to its endurance, Dancing at Lughnasa is playing this month for eight nights as part of Dublin Theatre Festival.

Conman faked coma for two years to avoid trial

A man has been sentenced to prison for pretending he was in a coma – for two years – to avoid standing trial for fraud.

Alan Knight, from Sketty near Swansea, was in hospital for 10 weeks with his mystery illness, and managed to convince doctors and his local MP of the genuine nature of his sickness. His scam was eventually uncovered when police found pictures of him riding bumper cars at a fairground and on a trip to Legoland.