Jezki pips Hurricane Fly at Punchestown
Jezki beat Hurricane Fly in the latest instalment of their great rivalry at Punchestown yesterday, with the Jessica Harrington trained four-year-old holding off his old sparring partner to win the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.
It was both horses first trip over three miles and both showed their class to pull clear in the closing stages, however Mark Walsh and Jezki seized control late on to put the current score at Hurricane Fly five and Jezki three in nine Grade Ones since December 2013.
It was another day of dominance for Willie Mullins, who had Un De Sceaux win the Ryanair Novice Chase, and he is likely to enjoy more success today with Nicholas Canyon looking for a fourth Grade One win of a successful season and the mighty Faugheen running in the Champion Hurdle.
Faugheen could make it a perfect 10 out of 10 today, however there is an argument he remains one of racing's most underrated champions, writes Brian O'Connor.
Lowry and McDowell throw away golden chances
Shane Lowry somehow conspired to lose to Rickie Fowler by one hole in the second round of the WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco despite having the world number 13 on the ropes for much of their match.
It was a bad day too for Graeme McDowell, who lost to Harris English despite being three up after eight holes, but Rory McIlroy made it two wins from two as he beat Brandt Snedeker by two holes.
Aidan Bryan surprise starter for Cork
Aidan Bryan will line out for Cork in Sunday's Allianz League hurling final against Waterford after receiving a surprise call-up and will make his first start of the campaign at full-back, replacing Damien Cahalane.
Sunday's final will be a repeat of the 1998 final in Thurles, and Sean Moran spoke to Shane Aherne, who was a coach under Waterford manager Gerald McCarthy 17 years ago.
Recently retired Kilkenny hurling legend and 10-time All Ireland winner Henry Shefflin has swapped the pitch for the television studio and has signed a deal with RTE to work as a panellist on the station's TV and radio hurling coverage.
Isa’s absence no issue
Isa Nacewa will make his return to Leinster next season despite having not played for the past two years, however his absence won't be a major issue believes Bernard Jackman.
CJ Stander became the first overseas player to be named Munster player of the year at the annual Munster Rugby Awards yesterday, and the 25-year-old South African will be eligible to play for Ireland after this year's World Cup.
With the season drawing to a close Liam Toland has taken stock on who he feels have been the standout performers in Ireland, with Connacht's Denis Buckley and Ulster's Iain Henderson particularly impressing.
Burnley looking to beat the drop
Burnley are currently rooted to the foot of the Premier League and Sean Dyche has four games to try and mastermind the Claret’s survival.
Gareth Maher spoke to Burnley's Stephen Ward, who was relegated with Wolves in 2012, about trying to stay in the top flight, and to Wolves' Kevin Doyle, a two-time veteran of the drop.
At the other end of the table the top four seems to have taken shape, and the question is to be asked can anybody break the monopoly of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United both on the pitch and on the balance sheets?
In the League of Ireland tonight Galway United welcome St Patrick's while Shamrock Rovers can cut the gap to top of the table Dundalk to three points with a win over Drogheda.
What to watch out for:
Snooker
World Championship, BBC 2, 10am-noon, 1pm-6pm, 6.30pm-9pm, Eurosport, 10am-1pm, 2.30pm-6pm, 7pm-10.30pm
Cricket
3rd Test, D1 West Indies v England, Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm
Racing
Punchestown (Including Champion Hurdle)RTE 1, 4pm-6pm, RTE 2, 5.55pm-7pm
Rugby
Challenge Cup Final, Edinburgh v Gloucester, Sky Sports 1 from 7pm, BT Sport 2 from 7.30pm
Football
Celtic v Dundee, Sky Sports 5 from 7.30pm
Golf
WGC - Match Play, Sky Sports 4, 10pm-3am
