Medal upgrade for walkers
It was an interesting day for Irish athletics yesterday, with the news Olive Loughane and Rob Heffernan could be upgraded to World Championship gold and Olympic bronze medals respectively.
Loughane finished second in the 2009 World Championship 20km walk, while Heffernan placed fourth in the 50km walk at London 2012.
However, the athletes who won both of those races, Olga Kaniskina and Sergei Kirdyapkin, are among five athletes banned yesterday by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.
Sterling keeps Liverpool alive
The League Cup semi final between Chelsea and Liverpool remains in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Anfield last night.
Brendan Rodgers and Jose Mourinho both fielded strong teams, with a second half solo effort from Raheem Sterling pulling the home side level after Eden Hazard put the visitors ahead with an early penalty.
Sheffield United after another scalp
Tonight serial giant killers Sheffield United will be looking to add another big name scalp to their impressive list of victims as they travel to White Hart Lane in the other semi-final, and skipper of the League One side Micheal Doyle is confident Spurs could go the same way as West ham and Southampton.
McCarthy leaves FAI post
A key member of the Ireland football team set-up, video analysis pioneer Brian McCarthy, has left his largely behind the scenes post with the FAI after 15 years. He spoke to Emmet Malone about how radically his role has changed, from showing Tralee Dynamos fuzzy VHS tapes of Ajax games through to the hi-tech analysis now needed before international fixtures.
Andy Reid's injury-blighted season has continued, with Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce confirming the 32-year-old midfield has had surgery on his problematic groin.
Healy in line for Wolfhounds
Cian Healy is poised to appear for the Ireland Wolfhounds against the England Saxons at Musgrave a week on Friday as he makes his comeback from a serious hamstring injury.
However, Leinster management have decided not to register and risk both Healy and Sean O’Brien in Saturday’s Champions Cup fixture against London Wasps, instead earmarking the home fixture against Newport Gwent Dragons on February 15th for their potential Provincial return.
Bent bounces back
Healy's absence has contributed to a prop shortage at Leinster, however the gap up front has been ably filled by Michael Bent, who has been silencing the critics who derided him on his arrival from New Zealand.
Women’s Six Nations squad
The Ireland women's Six Nations squad has been announced, with 12 uncapped players being selected, the most interesting of which is Sene Naoupu, the wife of Connacht number eight George who qualifies via residency.
Mulcahy backs WGPA
Nine-time All-Ireland football winner Valerie Mulcahy spoke to Ian O'Riordan about the potentially huge positive impact the creation of a Women's Gaelic Player's Association could have on women's sport, as well as the positive reaction she received when deciding to speak out publically about her sexuality.
Meanwhile Setanta Sports are waiting to see whether the arrival of Sky in the pay-per-view GAA market will lead to an increase in subscriptions for their coverage of the Allianz leagues.`
Fly goes fives
Hurricane Fly is seeking a historic five-in-a-row in the Irish Champion Hurdle, and the bookies are making the legendary 11-year-old and world-record Grade one tally holder favourite to win Sunday's showpiece event at Leopardstown.
What to watch out for:
Soccer
League Cup - Tottenham Hotspur v Sheffield United, Sky Sports 1 7.30pm
Copa Del Dey - Villareal v Getafe, Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, Sky Sports 5 from 6.55pm
Golf
Qatar Masters - Sky Sports 4 6.30-9.30am, 11am-2pm
Tennis
Australian Open - Eurosport 12am-3pm
Rugby
England Six Nations squad announcement
Basketball
11:00 - U16B Boys All Ireland Schools Cup Final: OLSPK Belfast v Pres Athenry
12:30 - U19C Girls All Ireland Schools Cup Final: J&M Gortnor Abbey v Muckross Park School
14:00 - U16A Boys All Ireland Schools Cup Final: Presentation Bros. Cork v Summerhill College Sligo
15:30 - U16B Girls All Ireland Schools Cup Final: St Louis Kiltimagh v Mercy Mounthawk
All games streamed live on the Basketball Ireland Website.
