Heroic Connacht welcomed home
No, it wasn’t all a brilliant dream - Connacht, for too long the weaker relation in Irish rugby, are the Pro 12 champions and the cream of the Celtic nations after they beat Leinster 20-10 in Saturday’s final at Murrayfield.
And Pat Lam's side returned to a hero's welcome in Galway, as Gerry Thornley writes: "Whatever the relatively modest prize money or take from Saturday's gate receipts, the heroes came home to the kind of tumultuous welcome that will resonate for years to come.
“Every dog has his day, never more so than in the year of the underdog.”
No underdog story in Milan
There was no room for an underdog story in Milan on Saturday night however, as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico on penalties to win a staggering 11th European Cup.
Ken Early was at the San Siro as Diego Simeone saw his side beaten in the final by Real for a second time in three years, he writes: "Defeat on penalties is usually an opportunity to use words like "lottery", but instead Simeone talked about destiny: it just wasn't meant to be.
“He is one of the great tough-guys and cynics in football, but he has a fatalistic streak, and a sentimental one.”
Cavan deliver Ulster warning
Elsewhere Cavan delivered a warning to their Ulster Championship rivals yesterday as they produced a bright performance to beat a lacklustre Armagh side 2-16 to 0-14 at Breffni Park, setting up a semi-final date with Tyrone. In Connacht Mayo eased past London at Ruislip, running out 2-16 to 0-9 winners.
Wood wins at Wentworth
Meanwhile England's Chris Wood secured the biggest win of his career to date as he just about held on down the home straight to secure the PGA Championship at Wentworth by a stroke.
League of Ireland
And in the League of Ireland Dundalk came from behind twice to beat Wexford Youths 3-2 while Bohemians thrashed St Patrick's Athletic 5-1 in a derby day demolition.
