Longford 2-13 Monaghan 1-13: Well, Monaghan can hardly say they weren’t forewarned. Twelve years ago, Denis Connerton brought an unfancied Longford outfit to Clones and plundered Monaghan’s home in the only previous championship meeting between these sides.

We’ve already crossed off 126 games across four countries over the course of 35 weeks. 

With that tantalising World Cup clash between Ireland and France cemented in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but watch the respective performances of Clermont Auvergne and Leinster over the weekend in the context of that crucial Pool D encounter.

1. The Power of the Mind

After last weekend, the World Cup just can’t come soon enough. 

Top of the Six Nations table and still the highest-ranked northern hemisphere team in the world, but the debate over whether Ireland boasted the best player over the last two months will drag on a while longer yet, writes Brendan O'Brien.

Nicky Henderson has yet to decide on plans for Sprinter Sacre – nearly two weeks after he was pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Captain Paul O'Connell hailed Ireland's historymakers after Joe Schmidt's side secured back-to-back RBS 6 Nations titles for the first time since 1949.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell admitted his side’s European experience put them in pole position to win the RBS 6 Nations title after they thrashed Scotland 40-10 at Murrayfield.

Ireland threw down the gaunlet to England on the final day of the RBS 6 Nations by routing Scotland at Murrayfield and setting their title rivals a tough target in their tournament closing game down at Twickenham.

Italy v Wales

The abiding memory from Cardiff last weekend was of Ireland hammering at the red brick wall thrown up in heroic fashion by Wales and barely making a dent.

So this time England have the advantage of knowing exactly what it will take to ensure they win the most crowded of Six Nations photo-finishes.

Willie Mullins has given Un De Sceaux a surprise entry in the Swift First Time Right Novices’ Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Joseph O’Brien, the man in the hotseat when Ruler Of The World makes his debut for new part-owners Al Shaqab Racing in the Dubai World Cup, believes the colt has the scope to enjoy a long and prosperous season.

Prince Of All justified odds-on favouritism when recording an impressive win in the McCrystals XL Jenkinstown Maiden in Dundalk last night, continuing the hot form of Curragh trainer Paul Deegan.

Even though the country’s four Major champions, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy — along with 2009 champion Shane Lowry — are in the field, the Irish Open at Carton House on June 27 continues without a title sponsor this year.

Kieren Fallon is looking forward to taking the ride on Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Little Mike as he makes his Dubai debut on the Super Saturday card at Meydan.

Italy 9 Wales 26

This was the weekend that kept on giving for Team Ireland as our Paralympians lifted the country’s medal haul to a magnificent seven.

Enough about ourselves and our five Olympic rings of prized metal. It would be rude not to acknowledge our splendid hosts. So where do we stand on Team GB’s success this past fortnight?

The dates, times and venues for the two RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs have been confirmed today.

Joseph O’Brien believes So You Think can scale even greater heights this season as he kicks off his campaign in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

Aidan O'Brien's Await The Dawn has been drawn close to the inside in stall two in the Group One Dubai Duty Free over nine furlongs at Meydan on Saturday.

Outrage fits us like a spring jacket and is as easily slipped on as off.

This weekend’s ‘Super Saturday’ fixture had to be abandoned after an inspection yesterday morning due to snow on the track, but the British Horseracing Authority reached an agreement with Newbury, Betfair, the Levy Board and Channel 4 Racing to restage the superb card next Friday.

Freezing temperatures are continuing to hit National Hunt racing in Britain ahead of one of the most crucial weekends of the season so far.

The Antrim v Carlow clash will get another 'Super Saturday' of All-Ireland SFC qualifiers underway on July 9.

A rain dance from Novak Djokovic had the desired effect as his US Open final with Rafael Nadal was delayed until today.

Ireland will open their 2011 RBS 6 Nations campaign with an away game against Italy in February and will finish the RBS 6 Nations with a clash at home to England.

TOMORROW is Super Saturday for Irish basketball’s SuperLeague clubs, with the quarter-finals of the men’s National Cup throwing up interesting pairings.

“WE were out-Munstered by Leinster.”

Grand Slam champions Ireland will start their Six Nations title defence at home to Italy on Saturday, February 6, it has been announced.

WHILE Ireland celebrated Super Saturday, fitness expert Mick McGurn was handed further evidence that his Midas touch was in operation.

A SIZZLER of a Sunday in Munich, although that had more to do with the scorching weather than the fairly modest amount of heat generated by the boys from Brazil.

Wasps boss Warren Gatland today backed title rivals Bath to finish top of the Zurich Premiership.

THE schedule of matches for the 2005 RBS 6 Nations reveals that next year’s championship will begin at the Stade de France on February 5.

Wales centre Mark Taylor is expecting a tough final RBS 6 Nations Championship clash when Italy arrive in Cardiff on Saturday.

Victory Moon advertised his strong claims for the Dubai World Cup in three weeks’ time with a superb victory in the big race at Nad Al Sheba’s "Super Saturday" meeting yesterday.