Connacht will hope to put PRO14 victories back-to-back for only the second time this season when they battle the heat and demands of the Highveld against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this evening (5.35pm Irish time).

Connacht 55 Brive 10: Connacht coach Kieran Keane is relishing facing into three consecutive inter-pro derbies with a squad high on confidence after their latest European masterclass.

Zebre 24 Connacht 10: Michael Bradley knows all about building from the bottom in professional rugby — his seven years at the Sportsground took Connacht through the most difficult period in their history — and he is happy with the progress he is making in his first few months with Zebre. 

Connacht coach Kieran Keane says a resurgent Zebre will pose a huge threat in Parma this afternoon as his side aim to bounce back to winning ways before refocusing next week to the European Challenge Cup campaign.

Connacht Club SFC quarter-final: Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 0-16 - Mohill (Leitrim) 0-11 - Seven points without reply in the final quarter propelled Mayo champions Castlebar Mitchels into a provincial semi-final against Sligo’s Tourlestrane next weekend.

UCC 0-10 IT Carlow 1-6 (AET): A point from play by Cork senior county player Brian O’Driscoll in the sixth minute of extra-time proved the winning score as UCC progressed to the Sigerson Cup semi-final with victory over IT Carlow in an undistinguished game at the IT Carlow grounds last night.

Even at 38, there is simply no stopping Peter Stringer who tonight equals Ronan O’Gara’s record for European appearances.

Dublin 3-24 IT Carlow 2-08: Cormac Costello helped himself to an impressive 2-6 as experimental Dublin cruised to a big O’Byrne Cup win, keeping the holders firmly in the frame for a semi-final berth.

Three second-half goals propelled Mayo to their first victory in the Connacht U-21 football championship for three years last night.

One imagines Nigel Carolan and the rest of his U20s management team have spent many an hour poring over footage of England’s opening Six Nations loss to Wales in Colwyn Bay this last two weeks.

Munster Schools 23 Connacht Schools 15

Ireland duo Andrew Trimble and Stephen Ferris have been included in Ulster’s 28 man squad to face Ospreys in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Saturday (Liberty Stadium, 6.30pm).

Garth McGimpsey retained his Tourism Malaysia-sponsored Irish senior men’s amateur golf title after a tense final day at Clandeboye.

AS IF life isn’t difficult enough for the New York footballers, an injury crisis has been added to the list of exiles’ woes ahead of tomorrow’s Connacht SFC clash with Leitrim at Gaelic Park.

All the team details for the opening weekend of the 2007/8 AIB League.

Walker Cup hopeful Jonathan Caldwell staked a strong claim for selection in yesterday's Irish Amatuer Close Championship at Cork, where he shot a five under par 67 to lead the field after day one.

The teams for this weekend's AIB League fixtures have been announced.

The teams for tomorrow’s AIB rugby league fixtures have been announced.

NEW YORK manager Louis Holland dismissed fears that injury could force two key players to miss tomorrow’s Connacht SFC opener against Roscommon at Gaelic Park.

MEATH introduce two newcomers, goalkeeper Brendan Murphy and right half-forward Peter Curran, for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC first round clash with neighbours Louth at Croke Park.

PA MURPHY leads New York against Galway in tomorrow’s Connacht SFC first round clash, believing the exiles’ new-look panel can restore pride with a team spirit much stronger than in previous years.

TRAMORE won a thrilling Munster Senior Cup Final against Killarney at Dungarvan last night, coming out 3½-1½ in a match which showcased some of the best young golfing talent in the country.

Former Ireland Schools international Andrew Trimble will join Huw Jones in the centre for Ballymena’s Ulster derby with Dungannon in Division One of the AIB League at Eaton Park on Saturday.

Here are the teams for this weekend's Division Two fixtures.

Latest AIB All Ireland League team news.

Cork Constitution are still waiting to hear if Ronan O'Gara will be available to join the likes of Mick O'Driscoll and Jim Williams for the trip to UL-Bohemians, who have been hit by hip injuries to captain Aidan O'Gorman and centre Coleman Finn.

Clontarf needed just a bonus point to book their place in the semi-finals, but they did it in style with a 28 points winning margin at the home of the All-Ireland League champions.