Legends from soccer, GAA and rugby have come out in support of a campaign to raise funds for a memorial for a footballer who was the first Irish man to play for Manchester United.

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL

A late Danny Long goal saw Beamish Stout MSL Premier Division leaders Avondale United edge out Leeds 3-2 in difficult conditions at Avondale Park on Saturday.

THERE was a time not so very long ago when post-Christmas games between the sides and played west of the Shannon Connacht and Munster were decided by a single penalty goal.

The Irish Association of Investment Managers (IAIM) has urged Irish investors to further diversify their portfolios by investing in different assets rather than focusing solely on property.

IF CLARE hurling was haunted by the curse of Biddy Earley for years, one wonders what external forces are contriving to deprive Munster of European Cup success.

CHRISTIAN CULLEN will be the focus of attention again tonight when he lines out at centre for Munster in the Celtic League clash with Neath/Swansea Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

THE Irish Association of Investment Managers (IAIM) yesterday expressed concern about the advertising of overseas properties.

Ulster 27 Munster 3

PAUL BURKE looks certain to start for Munster tomorrow night in a crucial Celtic League game against chasing Ulster at Ravenhill.

Ian Dowling has recovered from a slight injury to take his place in the Munster Squad to play Glasgow on Saturday at Thomond Park (3.30pm).

Munster 10 Dragons 8

Munster 10 Newport Gwent 8

Anthony Foley will have to shelve his disappointment at not being included in the Ireland Squad as he leads a much-changed Munster side out against Newport-Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

There are no surprises that coach Declan Kidney has not chosen a Munster side to meet Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Saturday just yet.

Coach Declan Kidney has named a 28-man squad for high-noon against Sale Sharks in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

IT may be quite hard for Irish people to understand, but for top rugby league stars in the UK, their lives are every bit as much of public interest as their soccer counterparts - more so in many ways.

MUNSTER'S walking wounded received favourable reports from their medics yesterday and the expectation is that all will be able to take part in today's squad session at Temple Hill in the build-up to Friday's all-important Heineken European Cup away game against Castres (7.30pm Sky Sports 2).

Leinster 35 Munster 23

MUNSTER’S preparations for tomorrow’s (1pm) Celtic League clash with Leinster at the RDS in Dublin have been disrupted by the death of coach Declan Kidney’s mother, Eileen, but they have still announced a 25-strong squad from which the starting side and seven replacements will be finalised today.

Munster 36 Connacht 17

Munster 36 Connacht 17

PAUL O’CONNELL makes his long awaited return when he leads Munster against Connacht in the Celtic League at Thomond Park this evening, kick-off 7.35pm.

Ireland's Paul O'Connell has been included in the Munster squad for the first time since September for Tuesday's Celtic League assignment against Connacht at Thomond Park.

MUNSTER'S remarkable Thomond Park Heineken Cup record remains intact but for how long more?

THE Newport Gwent Dragons have dropped their Welsh Grand Slam number eight Michael Owen and radically altered their side for today’s return Heineken European Cup game at Thomond Park, but Munster have predictably stayed with the tried and trusted for a game they must win to remain in contention for the knock-out stages.

Shaun Payne, Rob Henderson and Frederico Pucciariello have been included in an extended 27-man Munster squad for the Heineken Cup date with Gwent Dragons at Thomond Park this weekend.

IT was a decent weekend for the Irish provinces in the Heineken Cup, though they still have a long way to go if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.

LAST weekend’s Celtic League fixtures heralded the beginning of a nine-game sequence that will shape the outcome of the season for province and country.

Munster 17 Ulster 20

Munster finalised their starting line-up this afternoon ahead of their Celtic League clash with Cardiff Blues this evening.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has left three openings for players to prove their fitness ahead of the Celtic League tie away to Cardiff on Friday evening.

David Wallace have been released to Munster for their Celtic League date with Cardiff at The Arms Park on Friday.

IN the sporting arena, the team that reacts best to pressure invariably comes out on top.

SALE Sharks still have the edge in Pool One, but they will watch the video of this rollicking good Munster display with a measure of trepidation.

Munster 42 Castres 16

THE opening Heineken Cup defeat to Sale has Munster on the back foot ahead of today’s must-win clash with Castres — something the players are acutely aware of, full-back Shaun Payne tells Declan Colley.

Munster have named a 27 strong squad, from which the side to play Castres Olympique, will be selected.

Munster's Tomas O'Leary and Barry Murphy have held off the challenge of fast-healing Peter Stringer and Rob Henderson to make their Heineken Cup debuts away to Sale Sharks this Friday.

As usual, Munster coach Declan Kidney is keeping his cards close to his chest by naming an extended 28-man squad ahead of Friday night's Heineken Cup clash with Sale Sharks in Manchester.

MAKE no mistake, it’s been a bad six months for rugby on this side of the equator.

THANK God I’m not a dedicated soccer supporter. Like most Irishmen, I follow a wide range of sports and would have a particular interest when the national team (regardless of the code) is playing.

Magical Munster put Leinster to the sword at Musgrave Park, scoring five tries in a win which moves them back to the top of the Celtic League.

WITH one eye on the Heineken Cup, Munster coach Declan Kidney stays in experimental mode by including all of his three new outside signings for the Celtic League derby with Leinster at Musgrave Park tomorrow (3pm).

Peter Stringer will be the main casualty from Munster's preparation for Leinster's visit to Musgrave Park on Sunday.

Connacht 19 Munster 44

Connacht 19 Munster 44