Ballynahinch’s 10-match unbeaten run in Division 1B was ended by one of their chief rivals, UCD, this afternoon.

Leinster manager Guy Easterby expects his side to get back on track next weekend away to Sale Sharks after an experimental team were out to the sword at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

Ian Madigan laid down a notable marker as Leinster kicked off their season with an impressive victory in the unfamiliar surroundings of Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening.

Dubliner Colm O’Shea will make his debut for Leinster in Thursday night’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso in the RDS. (KO: 7.05pm)

Ballymena took the spoils in a hotly-contested Ulster derby at Eaton Park, holding on to beat Ballynahinch 6-3 and leapfrog them at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

A converted try fourteen minutes into the second half gave Buccaneers a tight 12-8 victory over Division 1B rivals UL Bohemian at Annacotty.

In the absence of his senior international players, Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named a young side to face the Melbourne Rebels in tomorrow night’s opening fixture of the Bank of Ireland Series in Donnybrook, kick-off 7pm.

IRELAND U-20s 24 WALES U-20s 38

The Ireland Under-20 team to face Wales in their final game of the IRB Junior World Championship has been named.

South Africa 57 Ireland 15

The Ireland Under-20 team to face South Africa in the Junior World Championship has been named.

Ireland U-20s 30 Scotland U-20s 13,

IRELAND U20s coach Mike Ruddock is calling for an 80-minute performance from his players in their final IRB Junior World Championship Pool C fixture, against Scotland in Rovigo tonight (7.10pm, Irish).

IRELAND U20s captain Niall Annett insists victory over South Africa tonight (7.10pm Irish time) will erase the pain of their agonising 33-25 defeat to England in their IRB Junior World Championship opener on Friday.

ENGLAND U-20 33 IRELAND U-20 25

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock described yesterday’s World Cup warm-up game at Musgrave Park as “a very useful exercise” as he finalises his preparations for next month’s tournament in Italy.

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock’s hand has once again been forced by provincial call-ups, leading him to make four changes to the side that takes on England in their final RBS Six Nations clash with England at Dubarry Park tomorrow (7.45pm).

The Ireland Under 20 Team has been named for the final game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against England Under 20 in Dubarry Park.

New Irish U20 coach Mike Ruddock has named his side for Friday’s opening Six Nations Championship game against Italy in Parma, kick-off 6pm.

A COMPLAINT is to be made to the Ombudsman for Children about the reduction of support services for a seven-year-old Down Syndrome schoolgirl.

THE father of a girl with Down Syndrome is hopeful that her level of support in school will be restored following a meeting with Education Minister Mary Coughlan.

ARCHBISHOP Dermot Clifford has written to the National Council for Special Education asking them to review a decision to drastically cut the hours of a special needs assistant (SNA) caring for a seven-year-old schoolgirl who has Down syndrome.

THREE years it took to build the Aviva Stadium, but three seconds was all it apparently took to get a pint of Guinness there.

A FEAST of running rugby in the Aviva Stadium – unfortunately for anyone hoping for a competitive opening encounter in the O2 Challenge, all of it came from one side.

O2 Challenge Match, Aviva Stadium

The Leinster/Ulster and Connacht/Munster teams for the O2 Challenge, the historic first game in Aviva Stadium, has been named.

Ireland Under-20s 53 Scotland Under-20s 23

Ireland Under-20s 37 Samoa Under-20s 10, Parana

THE Republic of Ireland U19 side begin preparations for the UEFA Championship qualifiers when they host the Clarion Hotels U19 Four Nations Tournament.

The Ireland U-18 club squad of 26 players to participate in the 2009 FIRA/AER U-18 Championships in France from April 2-12 has been announced.

IRELAND’S young club stars get an opportunity to test themselves against a visiting French region in Ashbourne, County Meath on Sunday (noon).

Ireland have announced the U-18 club squad to play England in the FIRA-AER U-18 European Championship today.

ENGLAND will be gunning for revenge against Ireland in tonight’s FIRA-AER U18 European Championship semi-final in Venice (7pm, Irish time).

The following is the Leinster under-20 team to play Connacht in Greystones RFC on Saturday (KO: 4pm):

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has set his sights on Tiger Woods' course record in the Irish Close at the European Club.

A PORTMARNOCK team of vast experience clashes with a bunch of youngsters from Malone in this morning’s final of the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup at Lisburn.

MALLOW Golf Club go in search of their second Bulmers Irish Senior Cup title in three years when they travel to Lisburn for this week’s annual festival of club golf.