The cup’s still magic
Last night in a thriller at Upton Park West Ham and Everton showed no matter how much you mess around with it, no matter how ludicrous the kick off times are and no matter if you try and devalue it by playing semi-finals at Wembley, the FA Cup is still magic.
A late Kevin Mirallas equaliser made it 1-1 and took the third round replay to extra time, before Romelu Lukaku and Carlton Cole goals set up a penalty shootout which West Ham won 9-8, with 'keeper Adrian scoring the winning spot kick.
There was drama too at a snowy Molineux, as Ross McCormack's 120th minute penalty to make it 3-3 between Wolves and Fulham set up another shootout, which the visitors won 5-3.
D-Day looms for Munster
Munster's crunch fixture away at Saracens is fast approaching, and head coach Anthony Foley has warned his troops it is do or die at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
A win would represent the province's 100th in Europe, and skipper Peter O'Mahony is looking to avoid the heartbreak of group stage exit he experienced four years ago in Toulon, the only time Munster have failed to make it into the knock outs in 15 seasons.
Kearney’s comeback
Leinster's European interest is also on the brink but they have been boosted in recent weeks by the return of winger Dave Kearney, who has been dogged by injury but is looking to regain his place in Joe Schmidt's Ireland team for the Six Nations.
Tuohy to miss Six Nations
Ulster have been dealt a blow with the news Ireland international secondrow Dan Tuohy will miss the majority of the Six Nations championship after undergoing thumb surgery, while Luke Marshall will have to follow return to play protocols after suffering a concussion in training last week.
O’Shea calls for concusison reform
Mayo's Aidan O'Shea, who suffered a nasty head injury during his side's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry last year, has called for the GAA to review its guidelines on how to manage players with suspected concussion.
Meanwhile All-Ireland winning footballer Aidan Walsh has cited intense physical demands as the reason why he has chosen to end his career as a dual code player and commit to hurling only for 2015.
McGlynn first sportswoman of the year
It seems like only yesterday Katie Taylor was receiving the plaudits after being names Sportswoman of the Year, but already the first winner on 2015 has been named, with Ann Marie McGlynn picking up the award after she captained the Irish senior women's cross country team to a bronze medal at the European Championships in Bulgaria.
El Tigre’s future in doubt
Radamel Falcao's future at Manchester United is in doubt, alongside a number of first team players including Robin Van Persie, Rafael, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who are all yet to agree new deals with the club.
Annie to emulate Quevega
Annie Power looks set to emulate former stable companion Quevega as she attempts to become her successor to the OLBG mare’s hurdle crown, which Quevega won six times and Annie is 4/5 favourite to win at Cheltenham this year.
Meanwhile Salsify could return to action at Leopardstown next month en-route to an attempt at a historic third triumph in Cheltenham's CGA Foxhunters Chase.
