JUMP IN TAKE-UP OF SOLO FRIENDLY BREAKS

Glenn Whelan believes too much expectation is being heaped on James McClean’s young and inexperienced shoulders ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s appearance in next month’s European Championships.

Ireland’s players will hardly want for distractions at their scenic and popular Sopot base in Poland next month but Glenn Whelan is happy the squad will be able to find a happy medium between work, rest and play on the Baltic coast.

The world number one spot could change for the sixth time in 11 weeks on Sunday — but the Players Championship at Sawgrass is about far more than just that.

The Ireland squads for this month’s European Bowling championships in Pesaro, Italy were announced last night at a ceremony in which four new European team cups were also unveiled.

Spain’s Euro 2012 preparations suffered a further major blow yesterday when key defender Carles Puyol was ruled out with a knee injury, while first-choice forward David Villa may not recover in time to make the squad.

At a time of year when things should be slowing down, last week proved one of the busiest for those charged with the responsibility of running the game in Munster.

Ulster’s Paddy Jackson is named in the Ireland U20 squad for next month’s IRB World Junior Championships in South Africa.

Kevin McLaughlin insists there will be no-one in the Leinster camp thinking about next week’s Heineken Cup final until the business of Glasgow Warriors and the PRO12 play-offs have been dealt with this weekend.

Ulster hooker Rory Best didn’t hide his delight at being back in Thomond Park for a media engagement last week.

Giddiness. Excitement. Expectation.

Christy O’Connor Jnr believes Rory McIlroy will ultimately enjoy more success over Rickie Fowler as golf’s next great rivalry takes shape in the coming years.

Spanish media hailed Barcelona’s Lionel Messi on Wednesday as “a living legend” and “eternal” after the Argentinian became the club’s highest goalscorer of all time.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has backed Jerry Flannery for a successful coaching career following the Ireland hooker’s decision to retire from professional rugby due to injury.

World Cup winning-coach Wayne Smith said Munster is just one of a long list of teams his name seemed to be linked with, but admitted he would be tempted by another overseas job.

After the most public of auditions, Stuart Lancaster will be interviewed by the RFU today for the full-time position of England head coach.

Jerry Flannery has already moved on with his life. The decision to end a glittering professional rugby career that brought two Heineken Cups for Munster and a Grand Slam with Ireland is one the Limerick hooker is at peace with.

Willie Mullins believes Ruby Walsh might not be able to resist the opportunity of riding the ante-post favourite in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14.

The grieving characters in Carthaginians respond to Bloody Sunday by camping out in a cemetery, says Colette Sheridan

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has revealed the union may ask its counterparts in Scotland and Wales to host games in the 2023 Rugby World Cup if it proceeds with a bid to bring the tournament to Ireland.