Darren Dent surveyed the concrete walkways of Stella Gardens, the low-rise Dublin estate where he spent 15 years addicted to heroin and where children still alleviate boredom by sniffing Tippex painted on their sleeves. Stella Gardens is on the edge of Dublin 4, the capital’s best postcode and the heart of Ireland’s economic miracle.

Jeanne d’Arc of Senegal scored twice within three minutes to beat Esperance of Tunisia 2-1 in Dakar on Sunday to clinch an African Champions League semifinal place. Previous semi-finalists Usma of Algeria with seven and Champions League debutants Supersport United of South Africa with four were eliminated.

The abusive treatment of inmates at Guantánamo Bay was far more widespread than the Pentagon has admitted, according to a new report published on Sunday. Many detainees at the United States prison camp were ”regularly subjected to harsh and coercive treatment”, according to the report, which appeared in the New York Times.

Two runners collapsed and died while participating in the Beijing International Marathon on Sunday, news reports said on Monday. Xinhua news agency reported that a 20-year-old student and a retiree were both pronounced dead after being transported to separate hospitals. The student collapsed 17km into the race.

Zimbabwe cricket officials said they were relieved on Sunday following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to clear the Zimbabwe Cricket Union of racism. The allegations had been made by 15 sacked white Zimbabwe cricketers, who had insisted for several weeks that the ICC investigate their claims of racism in team selection.

Ernie Els celebrated his 35th birthday in spectacular style on Sunday by winning the World Match Play championship for a record sixth time by beating Lee Westwood. The million-pound first prize assured Els the European Order of Merit for the second consecutive year with a new record for single season earnings.

Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu could face a lengthy ban and being sacked by his English Premiership club after testing positive for cocaine, it was reported on Monday. Newspapers said the 25-year-old Romanian tested positive for the drug at Chelsea’s training ground last month.

Silver Stars consolidated their position on the Castle Premier League table following a 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in a tough clash staged at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday. The encounter started 45 minutes late as there was confusion about the official time scheduled for the kick-off.