Carlow won promotion to Division 1B of the NHL when they defeated Westmeath in a disappointing Division 2A final at Nowlan Park yesterday.

LAOIS began life under Cork legend Teddy McCarthy with a battling extra-time victory over DIT in Rathdowney on Saturday.

MEATH recovered from a nine-point deficit in ordinary time only to be denied victory by a late equaliser at the end of extra time in this TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland quarter-final in Portlaoise on Saturday, and favourites Galway were a very relieved team to survive.

Leinster 16 Connnacht 13

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.

Galway 4-13 Kerry 2-10

Shannon 21 Clontarf 11

Cork 2-13 Galway 0-6

ON this very day twelve months ago, Munster and Connacht clashed in Athlone in what is now regarded as one of Celtic League’s worst ever games.

SQUAD rotation is the name of the game where the Munster team to face Connacht in the Celtic League at the Galway Sportsground on Monday (kick-off 2pm) is concerned.

Munster 27, Connacht 27

MUNSTER will unveil latest signing Tom Bowman in tonight’s Celtic League clash with Connacht at Musgrave Park (8pm).

LEICESTER yesterday appointed Pat Howard as their new backs coach – and the former Wallaby has vowed to help the Tigers reclaim the glory days.

Connacht have made a number of changes for their clash with title-chasing Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30 pm).

The Connacht team to play Ulster in the Celtic League on Friday night at Ravenhill (K/O 7.35 pm), in a game which will be televised live by TG4, shows a number of changes from that which started against Harlequins in Sunday¹s Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final.

Connacht will be hoping for the perfect send-off for their Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday week when they take on Neath/Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic league at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm).

The Connacht team to play Llanelli at Stradey Park on Friday night In the Celtic League shows four changes from that which defeated Leinster last time out.

The Connacht team to play Leinster at the Sportsground on Saturday (2.30pm) shows four changes from that which played The Borders at the weekend.

Connacht will this Friday bid to make it four wins from four visits to Scotland this weekend when they take on The Borders at Netherdale on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

Connacht 28 Glasgow 28

TOP Irish clubs could make a radical challenge to the Irish Rugby Football Union at a meeting in Dublin tomorrow.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley and his assistant John McKee have made eight changes to the side to play Glasgow at the Sportsground on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

Connacht have been forced to make one change for Saturday's Celtic League clash against Celtic Warriors at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Connacht have made seven changes to the side which defeated Narbonne in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final for Saturday's Celtic League clash with Celtic Warriors at Bridgend.

Connacht have made five changes for Saturday's Parker Pen European Challenge Cup second leg tie away to Pau (kick-off 7pm French time, 6 pm Irish).

Connacht 0 Munster 3

Connacht have received a timely boost ahead of Friday night's Celtic League clash with Munster as a number of key players have been passed fit.

Connacht 11 Beziers 13 (Agg 29-23)

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has warned his forwards they must win more possession against Beziers at the Galway Sportsgrounds this afternoon (2pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has warned his charges that the job is only half done as they prepare for their second leg Parker Pen European Challenge Cup tie against Beziers at the Sportsground on Saturday.

Connacht open their Parker Pen European Challenge Cup campaign this weekend in the south of France when they take on Beziers in the first leg of the tie at Stade de la Mediterranee on Sunday (kick-off 2pm Irish time).

Connacht 25 Edinburgh 26

ERIC ELWOOD is back to lead the Connacht challenge for a place in the Celtic Cup final at the Sportsground, Galway, tomorrow (2.p.m.), but there is no place for captain Tim Allnutt.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has been forced to name a 25-strong squad for Saturday’s Celtic Cup semi-final against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (2pm).

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 25-man squad for Saturday¹s Celtic Cup semi-final showdown against Edinburgh at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 2pm).

The Connacht team to play Celtic League leaders Ulster at the Sportsground on Saturday (K/O 2.30pm) shows seven changes from that which overcame Neath-Swansea Ospreys at St Helens at the weekend.

Neath-Swansea Ospreys 22 Connacht 33

ULSTER apart, these are vital weeks for the Irish provinces in the Celtic League.

GORDON D’Arcy is back in the Leinster fold after injury to help the former Celtic League champions against the Borders this weekend.

A SEASIDE walk on Tuesday ended in disaster for Leinster’s James Norton, when he fell and cracked his hip in Dun Laoire.

The Connacht team to play Leinster in the Celtic League at Donnybrook on Friday night (7.30 pm) shows five changes from that which defeated The Borders at the weekend.

Connacht have made four changes to the side that defeated Llanelli at the weekend for Saturday¹s Celtic League clash against The Borders at the Sportsground (kick-off 2.30 pm).

Connacht have again left the fly-half position vacant in the hope that Eric Elwood will recover to play Llanelli at Stradey Park on Friday night in the quarter-finals of the Celtic Cup.