Dolphin 16 Clontarf 10

Clontarf lost for the first time in this season's AIB League as Dolphin claimed a deserved victory at Musgrave Park.

JIM WILLIAMS believes Heineken Cup champions Munster can secure back-to-back titles.

Munster will travel to Clermont-Auvergne in the Heineken Cup on Sunday without the considerable experience of Jerry Flannery, Denis Leamy and Rua Tipoki.

Denis Leamy will see a specialist this afternoon to determine the seriousness of the knee injury he sustained in the win over the Scarlets on Friday night in Llanelli.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a less than full-strength 23-man strong squad of players to take on New Zealand at Thomond Park next Tuesday.

Munster coach Tony McGahan this evening named a 27-strong squad for Saturday's Magners League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

WITH Declan Kidney set to announce his squad for the autumn internationals on Wednesday, Irish rugby received a timely shot in the arm with two vintage performances from Munster and Leinster that rocked English premiership giants Sale and Wasps over the weekend.

In-form utility back Paul Warwick has been ushered into the Munster side after Rua Tipoki failed a fitness test for Sunday's Heineken Cup tie at Sale Sharks.

JUSTIN MELCK’S temporary move from Western Province to Munster could be described as one born out of mutual necessity.

THE bragging rights are back in the south after Munster secured a deserved Magners League victory over arch rivals Leinster at a packed RDS last night.

Leinster 0 Munster 18

Keith Earls will start at full-back for Munster against Leinster in the biggest challenge of his fledgling career for Sunday's Magners League clash with Leinster at The RDS on Sunday.

A RECORD 208,000 people attended the three-day National Ploughing Championships which were held in glorious weather conditions at Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny.

Munster 28 Cardiff Blues 20

Veterans Alan Quinlan and John Hayes return to competitive action for Munster for the first time this season for Saturday's Magners League game against the Cardiff Blues at Musgrave Park.

JOHN HAYES returns after illness to the Munster team for his first Magners League game this season against bogey team Cardiff at Musgrave Park tonight (7.30pm).

Munster coach Tony McGahan has announced Paul O'Connell will lead his strongest possible side for the Magners League opener against Edinburgh in Murrayfield on Friday.

IN what is Munster’s first home game since winning the Heineken Cup in May, Tony McGahan has kept faith with 11 of the side that started in last weekend’s impressive 46-22 win over the USA Eagles for tonight’s sell-out friendly with London Irish at Musgrave Park (7.30pm).

Coach Tony McGahan will start Doug Howlett at full-back against London Irish at a sold-out Musgrave Park, kick-off at 7.30pm on Friday night.

Munster have signed Western Province back-row forward Justin Melck on a two-month deal.