Luke Marshall’s return to rugby will be managed purely in the interests of the young centre’s health, Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has insisted in the wake of his player’s third concussion in as many matches.

Indisputably, this was up there with the very best that Munster have achieved in their rich and storied relationship with the Heineken Cup.

It may be hard to believe today, but the first mobile call, made on the streets of New York in 1973, was met with gasps and stares, writes John Daly

AMLIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

Druid’s acclaimed collaboration with Tom Murphy gave his work a new lease of life. Now it is reaching new audiences with a national tour, writes Pádraic Killeen

Top football referee Maurice Deegan believes the new black card will be a big success — but predicts a ‘killer’ first few weeks for under-fire officials.

A VEC has asked Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to remove a committee member who helped to expose a number of financial problems within the group.

Cork City 2 Shamrock Rovers 2 (Shamrock Rovers win 3-3 on away goals)

Vampire or pistolero?

Eamon O’Shea was his measured self after the final whistle yesterday in Semple Stadium.

Champions Cork survived a stern test from Clare before emerging victorious 0-14 to 0-11 after extra-time, in yesterday’s thrilling National Camogie League Division 1 semi-final in Kilmallock.

Sunderland 1 Everton 0

Celtic 4 Inverness CT 1

Undaunted by the Boston bombings, big crowds lined the route of the London marathon yesterday to cheer on around 36,000 runners, many of whom wore black ribbons to honour the dead and wounded in last week’s tragedy.

Our correspondent travelled to the Masters without clubs, golf shoes and with a chronic shoulder problem. But when his name came out of the press lottery for 18 holes at Augusta National last Monday, nothing could stop him.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will not face disciplinary action from the Football Association following comments made after his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Anyone with an ounce of taste has been reading one American writer in particular for the last couple of years.

French teams have all too often displayed little in the way of appetite on the road in Europe but Biarritz are far from likely to fall into that category for the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Leinster at the RDS today.

Allianz FL Division 4 final