Carbery to be assessed and O’Donoghue to follow return to play protocols ahead of Blues clash

JOEY CARBERY WILL undergo further assessment by Munster’s medical staff later this evening after sustaining an injury to his left hamstring during the southern province’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final win over Edinburgh on Saturday. The out-half and back row Jack O’Donoghue are the only fresh fitness concerns for Munster’s Guinness Pro14 encounter with the Cardiff…

Conroy’s stunning tries help Ireland reach qualification semi-final of World Rugby Seven Series

Updated at 12.04 IRELAND HAVE SECURED their passage into the qualification semi-final of the World Rugby Seven Series qualifying tournament in Hong Kong. They beat Russia 47-0 to set up a semi-final with Germany, which takes place at 5.32am Irish time on Sunday. Earlier, they earned a 33-7 victory against Russia in their final pool game…

Snapshot: Rory McIlroy takes a break from the Irish Open to attend Leinster-Ulster

RORY MCILROY TOOK a break from the pressures of competing in the Irish Open to watch this evening’s Pro12 clash between Leinster and Ulster at the RDS. McIlroy, a renowned Ulster fan, has started the competition in promising fashion and is just one shot off the lead as it stands. The golfer was joined by…

Paul O’Connell has been talking to the IRFU about his coaching future

THE IRFU ARE in contact with Paul O’Connell over a possible coaching role within the union. The 36-year-0ld announced his retirement from playing in February, having previously agreed a move to Toulon on a two-year deal. O’Connell was forced to retire after the World Cup. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO O’Connell suffered a severe hamstring injury at…

‘All you can do once they qualify is start judging them on performance’

IRELAND ARRIVED IN Cape Town yesterday with three South African natives among their 32-player squad. CJ Stander’s return to his homeland has been well flagged for some months now, but Richardt Strauss and Quinn Roux will also come across familiar faces in the coming weeks as Joe Schmidt’s men take on the Springboks in a…

Ireland ‘disappointed’ with Stander’s ban but appeal is unlikely as second Test looms

Rory Keane reports from Johannesburg  RICHIE MURPHY HAS voiced his disappointment over CJ Stander’s one-week ban following his red card in last Saturday’s 26-20 victory against South Africa at Newlands. The Munster flanker was sent off in the 23rd minute of  the match after he collided with Pat Lambie while attempting to charge down the…

Leigh Halfpenny to return from nine-month injury nightmare in Toulon’s Top 14 semi-final

LEIGH HALFPENNY IS set to make his first appearance of the season for Toulon in their Top 14 semi-final clash against Montpellier on Saturday. Toulon manager Bernard Laporte announced on Friday that the Wales international full-back will line up for the crunch encounter despite not having played for nine months. “He will play, for sure,”…

‘People said ‘are you mad?” – Ex-hockey star O’Flynn eyes Olympic 7s

THE OLYMPIC GAMES have always been a central part of Audrey O’Flynn’s sporting ambition, beginning well before she became an Ireland hockey international. The Cork native recalls watching local hero Sonia O’Sullivan battle for Irish pride on the global stage as she grew up. Having taken up hockey at the age of 12, the dream…

Ireland’s Max Deegan wins U20 Player of the Tournament award

IRELAND’S MAX DEEGAN has been named the World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Tournament for 2016. The Lansdowne man received his award after the final of the competition this evening in Manchester, in which Ireland were beaten 45-21 by England. Deegan was among the try-scorers, however, and his performances in Ireland’s run to the…

Relentless Chiefs hit Stormers for 60 to set up mouthwatering semi-final against Hurricanes

THE CHIEFS MADE light of their poor record in South Africa, running in eight tries in a 21 – 60 rout of the Stormers in Cape Town. The new 18-team format meant this afternoon’s quarter-final was the first time the South African side was pitted against Kiwi opposition this season, and the men from Waikato…