Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Connacht look to lift 60-year Belfast jinx, Reddan ready for a last run at Munster, Lowry and Harrington off to slow starts and Maguire and Meadows face battle to make cut

Dustin Johnson is a shot off the lead in Texas. Photograph: Getty
Dustin Johnson is a shot off the lead in Texas. Photograph: Getty
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Fri Apr 01 2016 - 08:24

Connacht looking to lift Belfast jinx

Connacht travel to play Ulster in the Pro 12 this evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and lift yet another hoodoo in the process.

This season Connacht have already picked up their maiden league wins at Thomond Park and the Liberty Stadium, and tonight Pat Lam’s side are searching for their first win in Belfast since November 1960.

However with the Sale Sharks-bound AJ MacGinty the latest addition to the injury list, Gerry Thornley believes it will be an uphill task for the men from the West, he writes: “But their performance (against Leinster) wasn’t without its imperfections and, as well as its price last week, the six-day turnaround compounds their latest round of casualties.

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“And then, as history has demonstrated, Ulster do have home advantage, as well as the greater need for points.”

Gavin Cummiskey speaks to Eoin Reddan

Ahead of the weekend's other inter-provincial fixture between Leinster and Munster Gavin Cummiskey spoke to Leinster scrumhalf Eoin Reddan, who discussed the graft needed to earn his 70 Ireland caps.

He said: “And when you don’t get picked as a scrumhalf you go away and practice your passing like no other man on the planet so when you get to 23 the other lads your age can never catch you.”

Lowry and Harrington off to slow starts

Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington have both made slow starts at the Shell Houston Open ahead of next week's US Masters. Lowry shot a level par 72 in his opening round, with Harrington a shot further back.Charley Hoffman leads in Texas on eight under par.

Maguire and Meadows face battle to make cut

And in the first women’s Major of the year Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadows are both in danger of missing the cut after posting opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively. Japan’s Ai Miyazoto leads on five under after she shot a 67.

League of Ireland

There are five League of Ireland fixtures tonight, with Bohemians taking on Longford, Dundalk welcoming Derry City to Oriel Park, Finn Harps playing St Pat's, Shamrock Rovers taking on Galway and Bray travelling to Wexford Youths.