ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

New Bruff coach and former Munster centre Mike Lynch could hardly contain his admiration for a developing team, following a surprising but thoroughly deserved Ulster Bank League Division 1B victory over favourites Ballymena at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday.

Garryowen captain Paul Neville paid tribute to his side’s defensive efforts after Saturday’s Bateman Cup final victory at Templeville Road.

CORK showed their style first, then their substance to dethrone All-Ireland JFC holders Sligo at Croke Park and march through themselves to this year’s final.

The teams for this weekend's All-Ireland League fixtures have been announced.

The teams for this weekend's round of AIL rugby fixtures have been announced today.

Blackrock College will be able to call on the strike power of their Ireland U20s Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken in Division 1A against a Dolphin disrupted without their regular number eight James Coughlan, who has been called up by Munster.

The teams for this weekend's round of All-Ireland League rugby matches have been announced.

Ireland men’s coach Dave Passmore has named his 18-man squad for the EuroHockey Championships in Manchester this month, keeping faith with 15 players who featured at last year’s World Cup qualifiers.

Ireland coach Dave Passmore has finalised the squad he will take to South Africa next month.

Uncapped players Louise Henderson, Zanya Dahl, Sinead Dooley and Katherine Elkins have all been named in Ireland’s squad which will begin preparations for the World Cup qualifying competition in Rome next April.

IRISH men’s hockey coach David Passmore has announced his squad for next month’s European Nations Trophy in Rome.

Annadale’s David Smyth has returned to Ireland’s squad for a tri-nations event against Canada and Italy after an 18-month absence.

Ireland's new men’s hockey coach Dave Passmore has included five uncapped players in his 28-man training squad which will travel to Spain later this month.

Ireland 5 Switzerland 2

Cookstown’s Andy Barbour is set to play in his first major competition after being selected in Ireland men’s squad for the European Nations Cup in September - just five months after making his international debut.

Ireland’s preparations for September’s European Nations Cup continue with a quadrangular tournament in Vienna next week.

Ireland’s bid for revenge over England for defeat in their three-match series a fortnight ago has seen them turn to former Great Britain international Soma Singh to become their assistant coach.

Ireland forward Ivan Steen will come up against some familiar faces next month when he plays against England in three Test matches.