NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a roundup of today’s news.

IRELAND

Today was the finale of the flat season at the Curragh Racecourse. Lorraine O’Sullivan Lorraine O’Sullivan

• A man appeared in court in Ennis today following the fatal assault of another man in Limerick.
• Micheál Martin said he plans to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election and that he still enjoys “being in the thick of it“.  
• A “full emergency” was declared at Dublin Airport today when smoke was reported in a plane cockpit. 
• An opinion poll showed a rise in support for Government parties at the expense of Sinn Féin.
• A mini-bus driver died after his bus collided with a bridge in Co Limerick overnight. 
• The Government’s trade mission to South Korea, aimed at boosting beef sales, was criticised by environmentalists.
• A woman in her 70s died after being struck by a van in Co Clare yesterday evening. 

INTERNATIONAL

The Russian navy test-fires an intercontinental ballistic missile Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

#GAZA Israel cut off internet and phone communication in the Gaza Stri today just before launching an intense bombardment. 

#ICBM Russia said it successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine.

#PAKISTAN Taliban officials said that thousands of Afghans had been forcibly returned from Pakistan. 

#HAMBURG A hostage situation at Hamburg Airport came to an end this afternoon.

#REUNITED The in-laws of Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf returned to Scotland today after fleeing Gaza. 

PARTING SHOT

East Kerry's Ronan Buckley and Paudie Clifford celebrate with the cup. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

IT IS HARD to keep a good team down, less so great champions, and that’s what East Kerry have been for four of the last five years now. Kerry champions in 2019, 2020 and 2022, they retained their title against Mid Kerry by the narrowest of margins in Tralee this afternoon, and that will surely make this one the most enjoyable of the four.

The result was in doubt until the very last whistle as Mid Kerry rallied late to outscore the champions by six points to two to make it a nail-biting finish, but East Kerry clung on.

Read the full report here.