All-Ireland hurling champions Limerick sent out an ominous message to the rest of the country yesterday, as they ransacked Kilkenny 2-18 to 0-15 to make it three wins from three in Division 1A. It was the first time Limerick had won in Nowlan Park since 1997, and victory was forged on a late first-half blitz. With the scores level at 0-7 to 0-7 after half an hour, Brian Cody's Cats found themselves trailing 0-7 to 2-10 at the break. After this, John Kiely's side were not for catching. Seán Moran writes: "Limerick came out of Nowlan Park hallmarked as genuine. No reigning All-Ireland champions have won at the venue in the following season's league since Galway 32 years ago." Elsewhere in the top flight Aidan Nolan's injury-time winner gave Wexford a 1-15 to 1-14 win over Tipperary in Wexford Park, Tipp playing the second-half with 14-men following Noel McGrath's sending off. "We deserved to win," said Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald afterwards. And in Division 1B, Galway proved too strong for Mattie Kenny's Dublin - Keith Duggan was in Salthill as Micheal Donoghue's side ran out 0-20 to 1-11 winners.
Manchester United travel to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round tonight (kick-off 7.30pm), and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a selection headache following injuries to Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard. However the Norwegian has insisted Alexis Sánchez, who has flopped at Old Trafford since his move from Arsenal last January, can rediscover his best form. He said: "He's been here for a year, I've been here for two months with him and he's been injured for the first part of it so it's unfair to just expect him to be at the top straight away. I'm sure we'll see the best of him before the end of the season." The draw for the quarter-finals will be made after tonight's match, with Wolves, Crystal Palace and Swansea all in the hat after victories over Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers and Brentford respectively yesterday. Elsewhere, Scotland extended their lead at the top of the SPL to eight points yesterday after they beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park thanks to a last-minute winner from Scott Brown.
Rory McIlroy missed out on victory in the Genesis Open last night, with a final round of 69 leaving him three shots behind eventual winner JB Holmes on a difficult day of scoring. With rain delaying the opening round at Riviera the majority of the third round and the whole of the fourth round had to be played yesterday, play beginning at 6.45am local time and not finishing until 4.58pm. The tournament looked to belong to Justin Thomas, but he could only manage a closing effort of 75 - four over par - meaning a 70 was enough for Holmes to secure victory by a stroke. It was McIlroy's third top-five finish in his three starts on the PGA Tour this year, but it will be tinged with frustration, writes Ruaidhrí Croke.
The Six Nations returns this weekend, with Ireland travelling to play Italy on Sunday after the crunch clash between England and Wales on Saturday evening. Rob Kearney missed the opening defeat to England before being restored to fullback for the Scotland win, and he is hoping for a strong finish to the Championship: "I want to be on the team; if I want to be picked on the team I'll have to be the best fullback out of everyone else. Ultimately that's what you're hoping comes out in the game."
And 2018 Grand National hero Tiger Roll showed his class and versatility yesterday as he cruised to victory in the 2m5f Boyne Hurdle at Navan, despite trainer Gordon Elliott saying he thought his diminutive star was in need of the run. Tiger Roll is now 12-1 to emulate the great Red Rum by retaining the Aintree steeplechase later this year.
