Scarlets sauntered into the Guinness PRO12 play-offs with a 30-8 bonus point victory over error-strewn Connacht at the Sportsground.

UCD claimed the women’s EY Hockey League in dramatic fashion as Lena Tice struck two penalty corners to inflict a first defeat of the league season on Hermes-Monkstown, leap-frogging their Dublin rivals on the final day of the campaign.

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny has called on his players to produce the “game of their lives” in Iceland tonight to advance into the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

For Conor Murray, the thought of having to watch Connacht and Leinster duke it out in a Guinness Pro12 final this Saturday fills him with frustration.

Leinster and Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier will miss the PRO12 play-offs as well as Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa, after he was ruled out of action for the next eight weeks.

A 46-26 defeat saw Ospreys fail to qualify for the European Champions Cup next season, while victorious Ulster secured their place in the Guinness Pro12 play-offs in an entertaining 10-try match at the Liberty Stadium.

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has been involved in a spat with former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie during a Holland training session.

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer will look to turn the loss of his full playing privileges on the PGA Tour to his advantage with his first victory on European soil for five years in the KLM Open.

Guinness Pro12  

Everton boss Roberto Martinez felt his side showed great character to secure a 1-1 draw with FK Krasnodar that he believes will serve as a "very good lesson" for them.

ULSTER 58 CONNACHT 12Ulster put themselves firmly back on track in their bid to reach the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs with a thumping 58-12 bonus point win over fellow Irish province Connacht.

Arsenal have been drawn to face Turkish club Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs.

Former Glasgow flyhalf Dan Parks admitted he would love to scupper the Scottish side’s quest for a home semi-final in the Rabo PRO12 play-offs, by helping Connacht to a win over the Warriors at the Sportsground this weekend.

On the field they will have 11 seniors and on the line they will have one current and one former senior inter-county manager. Oh, and a former European Commissioner.

Luke Donald hopes to end his golfing year with a bang this week – but has also given the European Tour something to think about.

It will not only be Pádraig Harrington and Hunter Mahan kicking their heels this weekend when the Ryder Cup begins without them at Medinah.

Rory McIlroy has dismissed the idea that he fills Tiger Woods with fear, even though Woods, tongue firmly in cheek, has started calling him “The Intimidator”.

Rory McIlroy has dismissed the idea that he fills Tiger Woods with fear, even though Woods, tongue firmly in cheek, has started calling him “The Intimidator”.

HJK Helsinki 0 Celtic 2 (aggregate 1-4)

TIGER WOODS has hired Joe LaCava to be his third full-time caddie.

THEY may have experienced wildly different campaigns in the Majors this year, but hope springs eternal for Rory McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington as they look forward to strong finishes to their seasons.

Paul Casey is in position in Chicago to make his exclusion from the Ryder Cup look a huge mistake by Colin Montgomerie.

American Charley Hoffman’s runaway five-shot win at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston – the second event of the FedEx Cup play-offs – lifts him from 132nd to 51st in the world.

Despite all that is read into the fact America won the last Ryder Cup without Tiger Woods and lost the previous three with him, there seems no way Corey Pavin will choose to bring a Tiger-less team to Celtic Manor in three weeks’ time.

World number six Jim Furyk has been disqualified from the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs in America – a day before it has even started.

Rangers target Nikica Jelavic scored a double last night to help fire Rapid Vienna into the Europa League play-offs – and then declared he still wants to move to Ibrox.

Edinburgh 24 Scarlets 20

The Russian Football Union are to launch an investigation into reports of inappropriate behaviour by the national squad during the World Cup play-offs.

SEAN ST LEDGER has joined the growing chorus calling for the introduction of video referees along the lines of those used in rugby union.

Ian Poulter shrugged off a six-week break to claim the lead midway through the first round of the Barclays Singapore Open today.

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is poised to return to Italy after Bari tonight announced they are on the brink of signing him.

ALAN QUINLAN’S Lions dreams were left hanging by a thread last night as the ERC confirmed the Munster flanker will face an Independent Disciplinary Committee hearing following an alleged eye-gouging incident during the second half of Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final.

Ipswich have confirmed they have sacked manager Jim Magilton after the club’s failure to make the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Paul Casey is in no doubt about what he needs most to achieve his golfing ambitions – consistency.

DETROIT shocked Dallas 39-31 to deny the Cowboys the NFC East title on the final day of the NFL’s regular season.

Jonny Wilkinson is ready to roar with the Lions this summer, with England’s World Cup hero hero declaring: “It will be an amazing tour.”

Wales legend Ian Rush has claimed Robbie Savage should have made himself available to play for his country in an emergency.

Senegal midfielder Aliou Cisse has joined Barclays Premiership newcomers Crystal Palace on a year’s loan from Birmingham.

LIMERICK basketball fans were buzzing with anticipation this week following the arrival of Cleotis Brown to boost BurgerKing’s hopes of making the ESB SuperLeague play-offs.

PERPIGNAN’S Australian star Manny Edmonds believes the French outsiders have cleared a major psychological hurdle in their quest for Heineken Cup glory this season.

Ireland have moved to 20th in the FIFA world rankings following the recent victory over the Cyprus and qualification for the World Cup play-offs.