Rugby: Pro12
Munster back Keith Earls is delighted to be back playing rugby after an injury plagued few seasons. So much so that he's taking extra measures so as to avoid any flare ups as he looks to continue his form this weekend when Treviso come to town;
“I’m happy playing rugby, have had a good eight or nine games under my belt, first time in a couple of years, so very happy.”
As for Leinster they take on Ulster tonight and it’s the perfect opportunity to pick themselves up after their heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Toulon last weekend.
Changes were inevitable following that bruising encounter but Ian Madigan's axing is slightly puzzling at a time when his confidence may well have already been low, head coach Matt O'Connor says;
“He’s got to be better moving forward,he’s got to get back on the horse and be as good as he can as quick as he can.”
GAA: Pain Barrier
When Corofin won the All-Ireland on St Patrick's day few were fully aware of the two years of toil put in by corner back Ciaran McGrath to even get on the field following a leg break in 2012. Even fewer were aware that he then played three quarters of the final with a torn cruciate ligament injury.
Now he says that he wants to supplement the strength already built in his leg from previous rehab with four more months of hard work, all in an attempt to avoid surgery on the tear and to play for Galway this summer.
Soccer: Europa League
Holders Sevilla secured their place in this year’s Europa League semi-finals thanks to a late goal by substitute Kevin Gameiro. FC Zenit proved plucky opponents and Brazilian attacker Hulk’s second half wonder goal very nearly pushed the tie to extra time.
Meanwhile Rafa Benitez's Napoli also booked their place in the last four with a draw against Wolfsburg enough to keep their Spanish manager on track for yet another triumph in European competition.
Golf: Harrington’s aims
Pádraig Harrington believes that if he can secure a top-five finish in one of his four upcoming tour events that should be enough to earn him a place in the US Open for the 14th consecutive year.
The last of those four tournaments is Irish Open at Royal County Down at the end of May, but Harrington said he would have no problem going to England and down the pre-qualifying route for the US Open.
What to watch out for:
In the League of Ireland tonight reigning champions Dundalk travel to Cork City, it's first against second with just two points between the sides after the opening nine games.
RTE 2 from 7.30pm
Then Leinster's crucial Pro12 encounter with Ulster gets underway at 7.35pm and that's live on both BBC and Sky Sports 5.
BBC 2 from 7.30pm
