Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Dublin hurlers begin Walsh Cup campaign with win, Munster must take the chances that come their way in Paris and what to watch out for

Dublin’s David Treacy and Niall McMorrow after the last night’s win. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Dublin’s David Treacy and Niall McMorrow after the last night’s win. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Fri Jan 08 2016 - 08:33

GAA

The Dublin hurlers began their 2016 campaign with a comfortable Walsh Cup victory over UCD last night - with manager Ger Cunningham getting an opportunity to view a number of young players, both on his panel and lining out for the opposing university side.

One of those, full-forward and Dublin panellist Oisín O’Rorke weighed in with 3-2 as Paul Ryan and Eamonn Dillon led the scoring for Cunningham’s side.

Rugby

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Ahead of the weekend's rescheduled European Cup fixtures Leinster travel to the Ospreys tonight in the Pro12, with head coach Leo Cullen opting for the tried and tested in making six changes in personnel from the win over Connacht.

“Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier are young, healthy and playing like their rugby careers depend upon it yet there is no room for them in this squad,” Gavin Cummiskey writes as Sean O’Brien and Luke Fitzgerald return to bolster the side for this key fixture.

Tomorrow Munster play Stade Francais in a must-win Champions Cup fixture and Liam Toland says that "Munster will get opportunities in Paris and it's crucial that all players recognise them; feed early and stay alive."

Soccer: FA Cup

Injury-hit Liverpool take on Exeter in the FA Cup tonight, with Jurgen Klopp announcing yesterday that the diagnosis from Tuesday night's League Cup semi-final win was a month long lay-off for playmaker Philippe Coutinho, 10 days for Dejan Lovren, with Kolo Toure also ruled out for tonight's game - they join the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings, Divock Origi and all of the club's senior centre backs on the sidelines, forcing the German manager to recall a number of loaned out players who are likely to appear tonight.

Boxing

Meanwhile Sport Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association say they have dusted themselves down after the Billy Walsh saga and "it's business as normal now" with the focus firmly on Rio 2016.

What to watch out for

Exeter host Liverpool in the FA Cup tonight.

BBC 1 from 7.30pm

Ospreys versus Leinster kicks off at 7.45pm in the Liberty Stadium.

Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm

Follow Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell's progress in round two of the Hawaii Tournament of Champions tonight. Harrington's first round score of 70 sees him in 12th place while McDowell shot two over leaving him in a tie for 27th.

Sky Sports 4, 11pm-3am