Puskas award
The waiting is nearly over - tonight Stephanie Roche finds out if she has pipped Robin Van Persie and James Rodriguez to the Ferenc Puskas award.
Roche’s wonder strike for Peamount United against Wexford Youths became an internet sensation, and later it will be announced if the 25-year-old Dubliner has beaten the flying Dutchman and the Colombian to be crowned scorer of the goal of the year.
You can follow the awards ceremony, held in Zurich, live on our website from 5.30pm tonight.
Healy could return this month
Leinster and Ireland prop Cian Healy will find out today whether he is ready to resume scrum and contact work, with the province hoping he may be able to return to action before the end of the month.
Healy, who has made an impressive recovery from a serious hamstring injury he picked up last September, won’t be available for either of Leinster’s remaining Champions Cup games but he remains on course to be available for Six Nations selection.
Leinster injury free
Leinster emerged from their 22-13 win over Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park without any fresh injury concerns, and victory came despite a particularly hairy plan journey to the Welsh capital which left a number of players shaken.
Ulster survive Treviso scare
Ulster got themselves back on track with a win yesterday but it was a bit too close for comfort as they nearly threw away a 24 point lead, escaping from Treviso with a 24-20 victory.
Earls returns
Munster's Italian adventure yielded a much more straightforward win as they cruised past Zebre 31-7 in Parma, with Keith Earls and James Cronin making their return to action.
Solid Saints
Manchester United's unbeaten run came to an end yesterday as Southampton won at Old Trafford for the first time since 1988.
Resolute Saints defence coupled with some quite baffling tactics and substitutions by Louis Van Gaal saw Ronald Koeman’s side leapfrog United into third place.
Sanchez sinks Stoke
Arsenal made ground on the top four with a comprehensive 3-0 win over a desperate Stoke City side at the Emirates, with the irrepressible Alexis Sanchez scoring twice.
Chelsea clear
Chelsea now have a two point lead at the top of the table after they beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City were held 1-1 at home to Everton.
Bony fee agreed
Sergio Aguero made his return from injury for City, and their striking options have been further boosted after it was announced they agreed a deal for Swansea City's Wilfried Bony which will rise to €36 million.
Dubs win again
Dublin's quest for a first O'Byrne Cup in eight years continued with Jim Gavin's experimental side surviving a scare as they beat a near full strength Laois side 1-12 1-11 at McCann Park.
Ryan questions colleges
Kildare ran out comfortable 0-21 1-5 winners over UCD but boss Jason Ryan has raised the issue of college teams competing in the inter-county pre season tournaments after UCD's Tommy Moolick suffered suspected medial ligament damage playing against his native county.
IT Tralee beating Kerry may seem like a shock result, but the 4-12 0-16 win came over a Kingdom side cobbled together out of juniors and under-21s with the Kerry seniors not expected back from South Africa until this morning.
Meanwhile, Waterford hurlers got their season off to a good start with a 1-22 0-18 win over LIT, while Mayo built on their good start to the FBD league with a 0-15 0-6 win over IT Sligo - although former Connacht rugby star Gavin Duffy didn’t appear due to issues over his transfer papers.
Mallowney mullers field
Elsewhere at Fairyhouse Mallowney turned a supposedly ultra-competitive €100,000 feature into a procession, winning the Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Chase with Davy Russell on board by 10-lengths.
The racing world awaits Sprinter Sacre's proposed return to action in this Saturday's Grade 1 feature at Ascot, but soft ground means old rival Sizing Europe is unlikely to take part.
Sullivan wins in South Africa
England's Andy Sullivan won his first ever European Tour title after he capitalised on a dramatic collapse by home favourite Charl Schwartzel in the South African Open.
Sports stars aren’t role models
As the dust begins to settle following a miserable and murky week in which Ched Evans dominated the headlines, Brian O'Connor argues the idea sports stars should be considered role models is a childish conceit.
