Tennis: Australian Open
Roger Federer has been knocked out of the Australian in the third round by 46th ranked Andreas Sippi - beaten in three sets the four-time champion never found his groove and so his tournament is over after just the third round.
There was no such upset during Andy Murray’s encounter with Portugal’s Joao Sousa though as the Scot marched on to the fourth round in impressive style.
As well as the great tennis action, also making the headlines from Melbourne is Australian reporter Ian Cohen. In what's now being referred to as "Twirlgate", Cohen is being accused of sexism via social media having asked a number of the competition's female players to "do a twirl" after their wins.
Rugby: Squad announced
Munster and Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony has spoken of his desire to finalise contract negotiations as his home province remain his first choice destination for next season.
The big news on Thursday was the announcement of the Irish Six Nations squad, one which contained 46-men and hence very few surprises. Nonetheless Gavin Cummiskey has dissected some of the calls made by head coach Joe Schmidt, namely Mike Ross's inclusion.
Cricket: World Cup preparations
Emmet Riordan spoke to Irish cricketer Ed Joyce as he targets a third World Cup campaign - an interesting character, he went on to represent England before returning to Ireland yet at 36 and ahead of this World Cup he's confident that he's in the best form of his life.
Soccer: FA Cup fourth round
Manchester United face Cambridge United tonight in a true David and Goliath contest - the sort the FA Cup does best. Ahead of the game United manager Louis van Gaal has reiterated his preference to a 3-5-2 formation over the club's traditional 4-4-2.
Central to his plans are Argentine Angel Di Maria, a man who Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says would have been playing for him in London many years ago if it were not for the strict FA stance on work permits.
The Guardian have this morning picked up on an interesting angle between the Manchester club and their opponents Cambridge - a key man for the League Two side is long forgotten United wonderkid Luke Chadwick.
He's more than happy where he is now though: "I just want to play. I do not want to be famous..."
Fifa debacle goes on
The Telegraph are this morning reporting that Fifa have lost three key sponsors as Castrol, Continental and Johnson & Johnson have severed ties with the now scandal-ridden world governing body of football.
Boxing: Brave change to pay off
London 2012 Olympic boxing captain Darren O'Neill has taken a big gamble in moving from middleweight to heavyweight - a move he told Johnny Watterson he expects will pay off tonight. He's facing Athlone's Ken Okungbowa as he seeks the national championship and subsequent European and Olympic success at the weight.
GAA: Drug debate sets off
Sean Moran has spoken to UCC economics lecturer and Cork All-Ireland winner John Considine in this morning's paper, about how the college have so aptly competed with far more "modern competition".
Their hurlers are in the semi-finals of the Waterford Crystal Cup on Saturday, while later in the evening the footballers are surprise finalists in the McGrath Cup.
Meanwhile The Irish Star have this morning spoken to a string of GAA players including Richie Hogan and Colm Cooper about the merits of drug testing in the sport, it seems the players aren’t too happy with post-match testing after big Croke Park games and would prefer a system in which they are tested after training sessions.
What to watch out for:
The Australian Open continues today with Maria Sharapova and Rafa Nadal in action. Golfers Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane carry Irish hopes in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters with round three commencing today. There's FA Cup action tonight as Manchester United face Cambridge United in the fourth round, while the African Nations Cup continues with both Senegal and Ghana playing group games. There's also action in the National Boxing championships in the national stadium, as the National Basketball championships also take place, in Tallaght. We're set to hear some more from the Leinster camp ahead of their crucial European game with Wasps, they're holding a press conference today.
Also don't forget to pick up your School's GAA and Rugby suplement in today's Irish Times; with provincial previews, complete squad lists, and interviews with past and present players and managers.
