RUGBY: Lions and Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll will attend the Blackrock Clinic tomorrow to undergo an operation on his right shoulder. The Leinster centre suffered the damage in the now infamous "spear -tackle" involving New Zealand captain Tana Umaga and All Black hooker Kevin Mealamu in the first Test last month, reports John O'Sullivan.
O'Driscoll suffered a dislocated shoulder during an incident that ended his Lions tour. His time on the sidelines will be determined by the extent of the damage but the prognosis is that period could be 10-16 weeks.
His absence will be a huge blow to Leinster, especially if he were to miss the first couple of rounds in the Heineken European Cup. He will have an incentive to be fit in time for Ireland's November international series as along with Australia and Romania, Ireland will face the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland's defensive coach Mike Ford will step down after those internationals following his decision to join Saracens. The IRFU have yet to announce his replacement but it is likely to be Neal Kelly, defensive coach to Ulster. A former rugby league coach he was introduced to the Ulster set-up by Alan Solomons.
CYCLING: Maurice O'Brien (Kanturk CU) sprinted to victory on stage two of the M Donnelly Junior Tour yesterday, winning the bunch sprint into Ballina, reports Shane Stokes. The 67-mile stage was marked by a breakaway move which went clear just before Bangor-on-Erris.
Jonathan Bellis (British Cycling North West), Willem Schwaner, Michael Robinson (both BMV Veldhoven, Holland), Ciarán Cassidy (Navan/Avonmore) and Urban Monks (Newry Wheelers CC) gained a minute on the bunch.
However, a chase led by race leader Martin Munroe saw the move hauled back with two miles remaining, paving the way for the bunch sprint and O'Brien's win.
Today's stage is a 54.8 miles from Westport to Cong.
