Michael Conlan registered his second stoppage in as many professional contests with a TKO3 of Tijuana journeyman Alfredo Chanez in Chicago.

Player of the Year. Coach of the Year. Team of the Year. Any scintilla of doubt as to the scale of the task Ireland face in seeking a second straight win over the world champions this Saturday was all but atomised by the string of major awards claimed by Beauden Barrett, Steve Hansen, and the All Blacks at the World Rugby Awards last weekend.

Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony may not have agreed with it, but Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby believes the decision to leave the pair behind when the squad flew out to Chicago early last week was wholly justified.

Warren Gatland was on the phone roughly 10 minutes trying to explain what it is that separates the All Blacks from rugby’s mere mortals when the British and Irish Lions coach finally reached for a cricketing analogy.

Jonathan Sexton has put to bed any lingering doubts about his fitness by declaring himself "100% fit" ahead of Ireland’s historic meeting with New Zealand in Chicago next week, reports Brendan O'Brien of the Irish Examiner.

Soldier Field, Chicago. The All Blacks. Rarely has one game and one venue captured the imagination in the manner of Ireland’s upcoming meeting with New Zealand in the Windy City. 

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

It’s almost a year now since this column fulfilled a near life-long sporting ambition with a trip to Chicago to see the Bears host the Green Bay Packers at the iconic Soldier Field.

Gardaí investigate after prisoners’ protest leads to injuries at Cloverhill; Banking inquiry to quiz Cowen advisor as Drumm controversy continues; Players defend departing Brian Cuthbert; and Dentist who killed Cecil the lion ’in hiding’ as he shuts up shop Here’s this morning’s irishexaminer.com round-up.

I’M COUNTING down the days until my trip to Notre Dame University, Indiana, where I’m to attend my son’s graduation.

The Things We Lose, The Things We Leave Behind

When the GAA and the GPA bring the streamlined Super 11s hurling to the campus of Notre Dame on Saturday, they’ll be hoping the skills and the speed do all the talking.

Partisan, loud, raucous and fun.

It is a telephone call that has been described as “evil” and it could be Pádraig Harrington on the receiving end later this week.

“Tell them No 14 sent you,” Curtis Granderson said before sauntering off to the New York Yankees dressing room.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told more than a quarter of a million people in Chicago that Ireland is "on the way back".

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama told supporters in his hometown of Chicago that he needed their help to “finish the job” as he kicked off a massive fundraising campaign for his 2012 re-election bid.

US President Barack Obama’s ex-enforcer Rahm Emanuel has been crowned mayor of Chicago, picking up the mantle from retiring mayor Richard Daley, who has governed the city for 22 years.

England were facing a “do-or-die” World Cup clash with Slovenia today, as the nation held its breath in expectation.

THERE was a stunned reaction in Chicago last night as the news broke that the American city’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics ended after the first round of voting in Copenhagen.

SPORT and politics converge in a potent mix today with the credibility of the US President on the line as International Olympic Committee (IOC) members choose the venue for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Middleweight Darren Sutherland will bid to become the third Irish boxer to make it through to the semi-finals of the 2008 Olympics Games at the Workers Indoor Arena in Beijing at around 1pm today.

KENNETH EGAN and Roy Sheahan take their first steps towards qualification for the 2008 Olympics at the world boxing championships in Chicago today.

THE mission to convert thousands of Irish expatriates in Chicago has been a success, according to Munster Rugby chief executive, Garrett Fitzgerald, who hopes the link between the Irish province and the States will continue to strengthen.

THE signs of a physical, hard-hitting match against the USA Eagles were visible as Munster went for a mid-morning conditioning session with head of fitness, Paul Derbyshire, on the shores of Lake Michigan yesterday.

USA Rugby’s PR department are struggling to create a fuss in the build-up to tomorrow’s inaugural Setanta Sports Challenge Cup between their World Cup-bound national team and tourists Munster at Toyota Park (kick off 8:10pm Irish time).

MUNSTER RUGBY may not have been born in the USA, but the official final run–in to their new season began in Chicago yesterday.

Brad Pitt and Angleina Jolie have tried to kill rumours their relationship is on the rocks by partying together at a Chicago, Illinois nightclub.

MIDDLEWEIGHT boxing prospect Andy Lee is to make a quick return to the ring next month in Chicago.

Monaghan's Kevin McBride has been beaten in his overnight heavyweight contest.

MUSIC legend Bob Dylan started a new job as a radio DJ yesterday and proved to be surprisingly chatty.

THE Chicago White Sox are World Series champions again, and yet another epic streak of futility is not just wiped away but swept away.

LUKE DONALD’S hours of practice in the ‘Windy City’ of Chicago were being put to the acid test yesterday as Sawgrass finally bared its teeth.

Luke Donald’s hours of practice in America’s “Windy City” of Chicago were being put to the acid test today as Sawgrass finally bared its teeth.

Albert Square could be re-locating to Chicago it emerged today, as plans are made for a US version of EastEnders’.

CHICAGO is my kinda town, go the words of the great song, and a group of Europeans are determined they will be singing them in celebration of victory in the 103rd US Open here in the Windy City on Sunday night.