Sligo’s superb comeback, inspired by Gavin Duffy’s brilliant goals, earned a Connacht MFC semi-final place at Markievicz Park.

Pyrobel Killester lifted their first Hula Hoops Men’s Pat Duffy National Cup Final since 2010 after a hard-earned win over UCD Marian at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday.

Rockwell College sent out a message to the rest of the province with an emphatic win over St Munchin’s in the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup first round.

A goal from Stuart Lowndes on 54 minutes proved decisive, as Dunboyne captured the Meath SFC for the first time since 2005 at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Ardscoil Rís 10 St Munchin’s College 5

Bandon Grammar 7 - St Munchin’s College 5: Ever-improving Bandon Grammar School laid down another marker with a sensational victory over unlucky St Munchin’s in yesterday’s thrilling Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup first round tie at Bandon RFC.

PBC Cork 19

Never in the history of Irish schools rugby has there been such a scene as witnessed in Musgrave Park yesterday when the Clayton Hotels Munster Junior Cup tie between Presentation Brothers College Cork and St Munchin’s College was hit by three serious injuries and ultimately abandoned after just nine minutes of play.

Rockwell College 22 St Munchin’s College 10: A first-half hat-trick of tries from Nicholas Kennedy laid the base for Rockwell’s Junior Cup team to run out dominant winners at the end of this first round clash in Clanwilliam.

Derry 2-12 Meath 2-12: Meath manager Mick O’Dowd admitted next week’s crunch Division Two clash away to Laois will be “do or die” for both teams after the Royal County were denied victory in Derry by an injury-time Ryan Bell free.

Meath 1-13 Cavan 1-20: The coalition Government weren’t the only ones facing meltdown over the weekend.

Meath 1-10 Armagh 0-8: On goes Meath’s winter of content.

Meath 0-11 Louth 0-10

O’Byrne Cup - Meath 1-18 Carlow 1-4: Meath recorded a resounding victory against hosts Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday, with an early second-half goal from Mark Battersby sending them on their a facile victory.

Munster 42 Connacht 20: Munster moved closer to a home Guinness Pro12 semi-final in some style at Thomond Park on Saturday evening, running in six tries to thump derby rivals Connacht.

Guinness Pro12

Guinness Pro12

Connacht 53 Benetton Treviso 5

La Rochelle 20 Connacht 30: European Chellenge Cup Pool 2: A "bit of X-factor" combined with a huge team effort is what vLam credits for Connacht’s dramatic four-try bonus win over La Rochelle, which sealed their quarter-final place as last seeds in this season’s European Challenge Cup.

Garryowen 28 Buccaneers 20

Bayonne 27 Connacht 29

Connacht head to Bayonne for tonight’s return leg (Stade Jean-Dauger, 7.45pm) of the back-to-back Challenge Cup fixtures with a new starting side featuring five debutants.

Exeter Chiefs 33 Connacht 13

Connacht 16 Newport 11

Dublin 0-15 Meath 0-10

Meath 1-13 Louth 0-10

Tooreen 4-10 Ballyhaunis 1-06

Munster A 20 Connacht Eagles 12

Roger Wilson will make his return from injury today as Ulster Ravens kick off their British & Irish Cup campaign against Bridgend Ravens in Deramore Park. Wilson will line out in his familiar number 8 position while former Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett starts at hooker.

Munster A 15 Connacht Eagles 19

Harlequins drew first blood in this season’s battles with Heineken Cup opponents Connacht, but coach Eric Elwood is not unduly worried, knowing there are more significant challenges ahead.

It was a long journey west for Mayo from Newbridge after they were annihilated by the hosts by 41 points.

Ireland’s Under 20s finished on a high to clinch fifth place at the Junior Rugby World Cup in Cape Town yesterday with a comprehensive victory over France in Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.

Ireland U20s were denied a semi-final berth at the IRB Junior World Championship as hosts South Africa scored a bonus-point win over England to top their pool last night.

Ireland U20s coach Mike Ruddock has rung the changes for his side’s must-win IRB Junior World Championship pool finale against Italy today but a win may not be enough to reach the last four in South Africa.

Ireland’s U20 Grand Slam dream died at Adams Park in High Wycombe last night after they failed to fully recover from a strong opening by England.

Second-half drop goals from half-backs Luke McGrath and Paddy Jackson against Wales set the Ireland U20s on a Grand Slam journey back in February but the duo are not underestimating the final road block.

Ireland coach Mike Ruddock believes his side must counter the physicality of their English opponents in tomorrow’s RBS U20 Six Nations clash at Adams Park if they are to achieve their grand slam dream.

Coach Mike Ruddock praised his men for maintaining their composure and seeing off the challenge of a weak Scotland side at Dubarry Park last night to set up a Grand Slam decider away to England next Friday.

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe has ended speculation about his future by confirming his return to Ulster on a three-year deal announced yesterday by the IRFU and starting next season.