All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty has hailed the impact made by Ronan O’Gara in his debut season as Crusaders assistant coach.

St Jude’s manager Padraic Monaghan pinpointed a powerful second-quarter showing as a crucial factor in his side’s stunning success over St Vincent’s in the Dublin SFC at Parnell Park yesterday.

Former Kilkenny midfielder Michael Fennelly believes the demands of club hurling are beginning to match that of the inter-county game.

Leinster 17 Newcastle Falcons 42

Ronan O’Gara believes the pressure will be on Munster to deliver the goods tomorrow night, when they welcome Leicester Tigers to Thomond Park for their latest encounter in Pool Four of the European Rugby Champions Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).

Ireland U20 head coach Peter Malone is looking forward to having another crack at New Zealand as he prepares to bring his side into battle for this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championships in Georgia, writes Daire Walsh.

By Rónán Mac Lochlainn

Wicklow 3-12 Offaly 0-17

Dubs Stars 3-13 Dublin 1-10

Garrycastle (Westmeath) 1-8 Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-6

Ballyboden St. Endas 1-10 Rathnew 1-7

Ballyboden St. Enda's 2-12 St. Jude’s 1-13