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• Connacht have moved to distance themselves from a potential move for Ian Madigan
• Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has backed the ‘great orchestrator’ Jonny Sexton to lift Ireland for the France clash
• IT Carlow are into their first Fitzgibbon Cup final after a dramatic win over UCC
• Seamus Power is just four off the lead at the Honda Classic while Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell continue to struggle

Away

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

• Claudio Ranieri made a heartbreaking farewell statement to Leicester fans
• Rory McIlroy says the circus surrounding Donal Trump ‘is intriguing to watch’
• Man United boss Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to axed Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri

The Best Thing We Shared

IT Carlow boss DJ Carey was thrilled after his men sealed a maiden Fitzgibbon Cup final appearance.

Where We Were Today

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Fintan O’Toole was in NUIG covering the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals, while Murray Kinsella was at Ireland Rugby’s Captain’s Run and the Ireland U20s v France U20s clash.

Ryan Bailey covered Ireland Women’s Rugby media event ahead of their tie against France, while Ben Blake is at the mouth-watering league opener between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.

On The Record

PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

“Yesterday my dream died. After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions all I dreamt of was staying with Leicester City, the club I love, for always. Sadly this was not to be.”

Claudio Ranieri penned a heartfelt and poignant farewell this evening.

The Fixture List

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

•  The Six Nations gets back underway over the weekend as Ireland take on France on Saturday at 4.50pm, with Scotland playing Wales the same day and England hosting Italy on Sunday.
• It’s also an important weekend for the Women’s Six Nations with Ireland playing France on Sunday at 12.45pm.
• In the Pro12, Connacht travel to Treviso while Ulster make the trip to Treviso.
• The Premier League is back with a full plate of fixtures, while Man Utd take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday at 4.30pm.
• It’s a big weekend for the GAA as Congress takes place on Saturday, while the Allianz Football League returns from a one-week hiatus. Also, Slaughtneil play Cuala for a place in the All-Ireland club hurling final, and IT Carlow take on Mary I for Fitzgibbon Cup glory.
• We’ve got a full round of league games to look forward to in camogie and Ladies Football on Sunday.
• There’s horse racing to keep an eye on, with action in Kempton from 1.40pm.
• The Honda Classic enters Day Three with plenty of Irish interest.

Showbiz, Baby!

Check out our run down of 10 players that could be getting the attention of bigger clubs across the sea over the next few months.

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Jamie Wall - 'We've a wonderful group of players and it's no less than they deserve'

DJ Carey makes hurling history with IT Carlow - 'We're absolutely thrilled'