It's time to bid you a fond farewell. This is my final column for Sportsmail. It has been an absolute privilege and an honour to be allowed to sound off on this page ...read
Des Kelly for the Daily Mail's recent articles
Des Kelly: When it came to the most important tick of his career clock, Sir Alex bowed out at the perfect moment
The manner of his departure is surely the greatest triumph of Sir Alex Ferguson's entire career. Throughout his life he was known for timing football matches with his unique personal chronograph which ran on GMT - Glaswegian Manager Time. His control freakery moulded the modern United and extended to every aspect of the club, from the players, directors, media, commerce, car choices, music, politics, decor, sanitation, creche facilities and even the passage of time itself. ...read
DES KELLY: The idea that governing bodies are serious about exposing drug cheats is a myth... the cover-up makes my blood boil
The war against drugs in sport is never-ending and the stakes are higher than ever. Unfortunately many of the participants are, too. We have seen it in athletics, cycling and now horseracing. ...read
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
STARS OF SPORT
- Golovkin means business in workout Gennady Golovkin performed a workout for the London crowd ahead of his world title fight against Kell Brook
- Eriksen puts an end to contract speculation by signing new Tottenham deal until 2020 Danish midfielder has signed on for four more years at White Hart Lane
- Pedal power! Mario Gotze rode a bicycle through the streets near Dortmund's training facility as he bids to return to full fitness for the German side
- Neymar takes centre stage as Brazil prepare for Colombia qualifier following victory over Ecuador last week No pitch invaders this time during training
- McGregor sunbathes in £300k Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead as he continues to celebrate UFC 202 victory over Nate Diaz New day, new car
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Ronaldo ramps up his recovery as he bids to be fit for Real Madrid's game with Osasuna Portuguese star has not played since being injured in Euro 2016 final
- Now that's an Arsenal dressing room picture worth taking! Club legends including Martin Keown and Robert Pires pose for a snap after charity match
- Crouch hits the beach with wife Abbey during international break The former England international has not played for his country since 2010
- And The Ox also made the most of his time off after failing to make Allardyce's first squad Hasn't played for England since scoring in in Lithuania in 2015
- Antonio's away day! Conte spent the last two years busy during the international breaks but he has made the most of his free time by soaking up some sun in Italy
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Ronaldo and McGregor hang out as duo joke around with training partner Dillon Danis
The Real Madrid star and UFC champion are well acquainted
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Neymar mobbed by pitch invaders in Brazil's open training session as striker gets hauled down
The striker was chased by two fans who had stormed onto the pitch
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Like father, like son!
Arsenal legend Robert Pires' eight-year-old son, Theo, continues to follow in his father's footsteps as part of the club's youth ranks in north London
- Meeting of managerial masterminds! Zidane, Allegri, Mourinho and Ancelotti talk football The bosses met at UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum in Switzerland
- Chelsea's Brazilian duo get a special visitor David Luiz and Oscar greeted compatriot Rogerio Ceni when the legendary goalkeeper popped into Chelsea's training ground
- Belgium are training in the rain! Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Christian Benteke were among the players to be put through their paces
- Don't stop til you get enough: Beckham urges Rooney to have retirement rethink Wayne Rooney is set to retire from international football in 2018
- Liverpool's model goalkeeper insists he's ready to compete for starting spot The German is hoping to dislodge Simon Mignolet after the break
- Pogba jokes around in France training ahead of opening World Cup qualifier against Belarus Paul Pogba has been centre of attention after his switch to Man United
- Kanu nets hat-trick on Arsenal return after shock of starting charity match on the bench! Kanu lined up for the Gunners legends against AC Milan at the Emirates
- Wilshere shines during Bournemouth bow but is unable to prevent Cherries losing to Milan Jack Wilshere joined Bournemouth from Arsenal and impressed
- Bale is in the form of his life, insists Coleman as Wales embark on World Cup campaign Gareth Bale was in high spirits as Wales prepare to face Moldova
- Pirlo watches Nadal masterclass in New York The Italian legend was in town to see the Spaniard ease into the last 16 at the US Open
- Not all about the Mane! Liverpool striker is not fazed by £30m price tag as he praises fans after impressive start since joining from Southampton this summer
- JURGEN KLOPP TALKS TO MARTIN SAMUEL About falling in love with Liverpool, why he won't blow money on transfers... and THAT scary face
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Konta sails into last 16
MIKE DICKSON: The British No 1 showed no ill-effects from her on-court collapse, taking just 52 minutes to beat her teenage rival
- Hartley: 'I'd go on the beers on Saturday and just turn up on Monday. Now I'm a professional' Fatherhood and rugby fulfilment have gone hand-in-hand...
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Wales 4-0 Moldova: Sam Vokes, Joe Allen and Gareth Bale strike to give Chris Coleman winning start to World Cup qualification
- Serbia 2-2 Republic of Ireland: Substitute Daryl Murphy rescues point for Martin O'Neill's men
- Spain 8-0 Liechtenstein: Diego Costa and David Silva are double trouble as new boss Julen Lopetegui makes winning start in World Cup qualifier
- Israel 1-3 Italy: Goals from Graziano Pelle, Antonio Candreva and Ciro Immobile give Giampiero Ventura's men victory
- Norway 0-3 Germany: Thomas Muller leads from the front to see world champions off to a flying start in their title defence
- Czech Republic 0-0 Northern Ireland: Michael O'Neill's men battle hard for a point after facing a barrage of chances in Prague
- Malta 1-5 Scotland: Robert Snodgrass hat-trick helps Gordon Strachan's side see off nine-man Malta
- Slovakia 0-1 England: Sam Allardyce era begins with a late win as Adam Lallana belatedly Lions capitalises on Martin Skrtel's red card
- Arsenal 4-2 AC Milan: Kanu hits hat-trick as Freddie Ljungberg and co roll back the years in legends showdown
- Bournemouth 1-2 AC Milan: Jack Wilshere shines in Bournemouth debut in South Coast rain as Cherries lose in friendly
- Germany 2-0 Finland: Bastian Schweinsteiger feted by German crowd as World Cup winner waves international farewell
- Republic of Ireland 4-0 Oman: Robbie Keane marks send-off with goal in his final international game
- Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Barcelona: Ivan Rakitic seals vital win for the Catalan giants as Luis Suarez fires blank