Liverpool must not underestimate Manchester United in tonight's Premier League clash at Anfield (kick-off at 8pm). The quadruple chasing hosts are under strict instructions from manager Jurgen Klopp to play "like it's the most important three points in your life". United are set to announce Erik ten Hag as their new permanent manager once the terms of his €2m release clause from Ajax are finalised in the coming days. In League of Ireland action last night, Bohemians were 4-1 winners away to northside rivals Shelbourne, Derry loosened their grip at the top of the table with a draw away to Drogheda as Shamrock Rovers won their fourth game on the bounce. Click here for a round-up of last night's matches.
Dermot McLoughlin became the first trainer in almost half a century to win the Boylesports Irish Grand National back-to-back after Lord Lariat won at 40-1 on Easter Monday. Despite the long odds it was a wildly acclaimed local victory for McLoughlin who trains less than eight kilometres from Fairyhouse. Willie Mullins had a bittersweet Grade Two success on the undercard when Easy Game ultimately proved an inaptly named winner - Blackbow took a fatal fall at the fourth fence, following a suspected heart attack, in front of the stands on the first circuit.
In his column this morning, Gerry Thornley writes that critics of the Champions Cup's two-legged last-16 were made to eat their words by some compelling ties: "The aggregate lead exchanged hands three times at both Thomond Park and the Kingspan Stadium, with the format adding more intrigue over whether to take shots at goal or not." Former referee Owen Doyle (Subscriber Only) explains why the continuation of foul play made the second legs into another shocking advertisement for rugby.
Meanwhile, after limping off injured in Saturday's draw with Wexford, Conor Whelan will almost certainly miss the Galway hurlers' second outing this Saturday when they host Westmeath in Pearse Stadium. And for Henry Shefflin the more pressing hope is that Whelan might be fit to return when his former manager Brian Cody brings his Kilkenny team to Salthill the following Sunday.
