In advance of his gigs in Cork and Dublin, Ellie O’Byrne about the heady days of the 2 Tone movement, and the recent tragic stabbing of his grandson

Jaguar Land Rover in Britain has flown Chinese parts in suitcases to Britain to maintain production and could run out after two weeks as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak hits firms across countries and industries.

If Catholics visit Lourdes and Muslims make pilgrimage to Mecca, then football fans must go see Messi, writes Tommy Martin.

Graham Rowntree believes Saracens will be an even more dangerous prospect due to their off-field problems when they visit Munster tomorrow for the sold-out Heineken Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park.

It is not just the levels of professionalism in the Saracens squad coming to Thomond Park that impress Peter O’Mahony but the quality of the individuals that give the Munster skipper pause for thought

Mick McCarthy is considering delaying a decision on the make-up of his final squad for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland and the friendly against Bulgaria, amid concerns about the impact of injuries and the amount of game-time some of those in contention are getting with their clubs.

None of history’s great empires, none of the genocidal conquistadors or god-on-their-side, blood-on-their-hands crusaders could have imagined a victory so complete as today’s data capitalists have, without firing a shot, secured.

A small dog with a major disability and an even bigger personality is about to have his destiny transformed, thanks to upcoming appointments with media superstars ‘The Supervet’ Dr Noel Fitzpatrick and singer Will Young.

A UK police officer filmed trampolining on duty has been put on an "improvement plan" after an internal investigation.

In a video she took from her bed, Scary Spice acknowledged the sound problems and thanked fans for attending the show.

Listening to Joey Carbery talk of Munster’s limitless potential would cheer even the most pessimistic member of its Red Army of supporters, never mind the joy to be derived from the former Leinster fly-half’s love of life at his new province.

It is only a month ago that Munster Rugby was looking forward to a new era of stability, brought about by a settled coaching ticket.

Munster’s preparations for today’s Guinness PRO14 play-off unravelled last night as Keith Earls was ruled out of the Thomond Park clash with Benetton.

So that’s Friday nearly wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

Munster Rugby have banned the supporter who appeared to confront Saracens player Billy Vunipola after the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

More often than not, it is a pleasurable homecoming that greets John Ryan on his return from a road trip.

Jean Kleyn is convinced Munster can use their European semi-final defeat to Saracens as a springboard to Guinness PRO14 silverware this season.

Munster saw off interprovincial rivals Connacht in Limerick but still had to settle for second place in Guinness PRO14 Conference A as Glasgow Warriors beat Edinburgh to hold onto top spot and with it a home play-off semi-final tonight.

Munster’s acceptance they were outgunned by Saracens last weekend was an admission of the gulf in class between Johann van Graan’s side and Europe’s elite. But the province is still intent on ruling the roost closer to home.

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony collected his province’s player of the year award for the first time and pledged “this will always by my club”.

At face value, European rugby’s semi-finals bore all the hallmarks of sell-out occasions: The champions of England against the Red Army in one, the holders at home in Dublin against the most famous of French clubs in the other.

Simon Lewis There is only so much credit you can give the winning team before turning the page and focusing on becoming the better team yourself.

Munster boss Johann van Graan insists he is committed to improving his existing squad as the province bids to win silverware for the first time in eight years but that will be without South Africa centre Jaco Taute, who was unveiled today by Leicester Tigers as a new signing for next season.

Johann van Graan does not see Munster signing new players for next season but insists that keeping the existing squad together for the long haul will reap rewards.

Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby, handed Munster a crumb of comfort in the aftermath of his team’s 32-16 Champions Cup semi-final win in Coventry.

Simon Lewis Munster Rugby has pledged to further investigate an incident at the end of their Champions Cup semi-final at the Ricoh Arena when a supporter appeared to confront Saracens player Billy Vunipola on the field.

In a statement, European Professional Club Rugby said: “EPCR does not condone the entry of a spectator to the field of play.

Peter O’Mahony and Johann van Graan put their hands up after another Heineken Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Saracens and admitted they had simply been beaten by a better side.

Saracens continued their recent dominance of Munster as they subjected the Irish province to another mauling and consigned the Reds to a third straight European semi-final defeat.

Ever get that feeling that the stars are aligning for some special purpose?

Edinburgh Airport, Saturday evening, March 30. As the Munster squad and supporters prepare to fly home after a tense quarter-final victory at Murrayfield, there are numerous emotions on display.

Chris Farrell admits Munster's inability to progress beyond the semi-finals has become a concern that will influence their approach to Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Saracens.

So, they meet again. Two years on from a semi-final encounter in Dublin that has proven significant for both sides, Munster and Saracens will be reunited at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena tomorrow for another Heineken Champions Cup knockout tussle.

Audrey has been sorting out Cork people for ages

As an ever-present for Munster in Europe, since the dark days of a losing pool campaign, Rory Scannell is perfectly placed to assess his province’s current ability to compete at the highest level.

Saracens captain Brad Barritt has rejected claims his side will be intimidated by Munster’s travelling army of fans when the teams meet in Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final in Coventry.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline

Whether you are a Munster coach or a team-mate, Tyler Bleyendaal ticks plenty of boxes as one of the great readers of the game and those insights could well be vital against Saracens on Saturday.

The consensus is that Leinster have not been the same ruthlessly efficient machine in Europe this season as last.

This time 12 months ago, Munster and Leinster felt bulletproof as they approached their respective Champions Cup semi-final deciders against Racing 92 and Scarlets, with both squads densely fortified with players from Ireland’s all-conquering Grand Slam team.

The echoes of Munster’s European semi-final defeat to Saracens two years ago may still be ringing in newspaper columns and the minds of supporters but Peter O’Mahony spoke for his squad and management yesterday when he declared his team have long since moved on, and for the better.

The sound of Irishmen baying for blood isn’t going to bother Saracens in the slightest this weekend.

Saracens would have hoped for a quieter week than the one just gone but Maro Itoje, for one, is aiming to block out the outside noise against old foes Munster in the Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday in Coventry.