Kilkenny 4-12 Dublin 2-16: Kilkenny advanced to the semi-finals of the Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship after defeating Dublin by 4-12 to 2-16 at Parnell Park last night.

The final day of the Championship brought contrasting emotions for the Irish as the title and the identity of the last two teams to reach the play-offs was decided.

Jeff Hendrick should have been sent off for a “shocking challenge” before playing a central role in Derby’s last-gasp equaliser in their 1-1 draw against fellow playoff hopefuls Brentford on Saturday.

It was a case of no pain, no gain for Daryl Murphy this weekend as the Republic of Ireland striker broke his nose scoring Ipswich’s opening goal in their 2-1 Championship win at Fulham.

Now that the dust has settled on the January winter transfer window, a number of clubs hoping to have made the signings that will make the difference for them between now and May.

Hull will have an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal after drawing the holders in January’s FA Cup third round.

When Brendan Rodgers first knotted his tie as a professional football manager, as Watford boss in November 2008, Ireland U21 midfielder John O’Toole had a ringside view – making a second half appearance as a sub.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed captain Steven Gerrard will miss the next four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Another potentially thrilling clash between Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal and Tottenham is in the pipeline after the north London rivals were drawn against each other in the FA Cup third round.

Premier League leaders Arsenal were handed a mouthwatering tie against north London rivals Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup.

League leaders Arsenal were handed a mouthwatering tie against north London rivals Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup.

Burton will name 50-year-old goalkeeping coach Kevin Poole in their squad for their Sky Bet League Two clash with Mansfield on tonight.

Newly-promoted Newport have been handed an exciting trip to Championship side Brighton in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

Defender forced to retire after mental scars from injury failed to heal

Former Ireland international John Thompson says he’s still recovering from the horror challenge which forced him to retire yesterday at just 31.

The goodwill and magic generated by an FA Cup upset will not extend to Oldham, despite their stunning 3-2 victory over Liverpool last night, with their manager Paul Dickov widely expected to bedismissed by the League One club today.

Liverpool 5 Norwich 0

Luis Suarez could face sanctions from Liverpool after admitting he dived during a match at Stoke earlier this season.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has admitted deliberately “falling” in an attempt to win a penalty against Stoke earlier this season.

Luis Suarez has admitted he has dived to gain an advantage for Liverpool but claims there is a conspiracy against South American players who are given a rougher ride in the Premier League than their English counterparts.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could be driven away from the Barclays Premier League if he remains the focus of victimisation, according to former Reds director of football Damien Comolli.

John Aldridge has dismissed comparisons between Luis Suarez’s handball in Liverpool’s 2-1 FA Cup win against Mansfield and Thierry Henry’s sleight of hand in France’s World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland in November 2009.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes English football fans should enjoy watching controversial forward Luis Suarez while they can.

I doubt very much if Mansfield is twinned with Accra but these days the two can surely feel each other’s pain.

ESPN television commentator Jon Champion has been spoken to by the broadcaster after describing Luis Suarez as “a cheat”.

With commentator Jon Champion reprimanded by ESPN today for labelling Luis Suarez a cheat, we thought it was time to list five of our favourite commentary moments.

ESPN commentator Jon Champion has been spoken to by the broadcaster after describing Luis Suarez as “a cheat”.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes English football fans should enjoy watching Luis Suarez while they can.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feels the onus was not on Luis Suarez to own up to the handball that helped the Reds reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Mansfield 1 Liverpool 2

Mansfield 1 Liverpool 2

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has thrown new £12m signing Daniel Sturridge into the fray for his side’s FA Cup third-round clash with non-league Mansfield at the One Call Stadium this afternoon.

Holders Chelsea were handed an away tie against lower-league opposition in the draw for the FA Cup fourth round made at Wembley this afternoon.

Mansfield winger Louis Briscoe insists all the pressure is on Liverpool ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits top scorer Luis Suarez deserves a rest ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Mansfield.

Manchester United have been given a tough draw for the third round of the FA Cup.

Land that Michael Lowry co-owns had previously interested a firm which involved individuals who were questioned by the Moriarty Tribunal, reports Investigative Correspondent Conor Ryan

The Commercial Court is to rule today whether hotelier Jim Mansfield has to repay loans of €206m.

HOTELIER Jim Mansfield is opposing Bank of Scotland’s claim for summary judgment orders for €206m against him on grounds including that the bank’s failure to honour an alleged agreement to loan more money to complete the Citywest convention centre lead to the collapse of the Mansfield group.

THE Ballinacourty footballers are an experienced bunch who’ve dealt with plenty of heartbreak in recent years.

NEW ZEALAND coach Ricki Herbert was ecstatic last night after world champions Italy were saved from humiliation against his team of minnows only by a controversial penalty.

Italy 1 New Zealand 1

Tiger Woods dug deep to avoid a repeat of his Quail Hollow horror show when the £6.2m (€7.2m) Players Championship, golf’s richest event, began at Sawgrass in Florida today.