Aston Villa midfielder has been at the centre of talks between club manager Tim Sherwood and Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill. Scott Heavey / EMPICS Sport Scott Heavey / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport

                                                         Home

• Tim Sherwood has revealed he spoke to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill about Jack Grealish but added he had no influence on the youngster’s decision to turn down his recent Irish call-up.
• Waterford’s Tommy Barr put in a superb performance to finish third in the 400m hurdles at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha.

Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

• The Championship is back this weekend and there’s plenty of team news ahead of the big football clash in Ulster between Donegal and Tyrone.
• Ahead of the final round of Pro12 games, the Irish provinces have named their teams – Munster have made a number of changes, Marmion and Carr are back for Connacht while Ian Madigan returns at out-half for Leinster.
• Cork dual stars Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley will ONLY play football this weekend after bizarre camogie clash caused headaches for the duo.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

• One of Dublin’s key footballers, Rory O’Carroll, has revealed he’d consider quitting the game if he’s concussed again.

                                                          Away

• England have confirmed centre Manu Tuilagi will not be considered for the Rugby World Cup later this year after he was convicted of three charges of assault and one of criminal damage.
• Hull midfielder Jake Livermore has tested positive for cocaine and could face a four-year ban.

Sakchai Lalit / AP/Press Association Images Sakchai Lalit / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

• Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested Steven Gerrard could come back to Anfield – but more than likely as a coach than a player.
• A young Argentinean footballer tragically died after colliding with a concrete wall during a game.
• The NFL will vote on a rule change next week to make games more exciting.

                                     The best thing we shared

There were so many superb goals in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division last month but here are the eight contenders shortlisted for the official prize. Some great moments here!

                                                 On the record

Andres Kudacki / AP/Press Association Images Andres Kudacki / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

“If he was intimidating him, which I think he is, I’d say to him ‘look I’m here to play football and now you eff off. I’m going to do my stuff on the pitch, if you like it you like it, if you don’t like it you don’t like it, tough’.”

John Giles reckons Gareth Bale’s issues at Real Madrid can all be solved by delivering a few choice words to a certain CR7.

The fixture list

• It’s the last round of Pro12 action and all four Irish provinces are involved. There are lots of permutations that affect three of those provinces – this helpful guide explains everything for you.

Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground, 3pm
Munster v Newport, Irish Independent Park, 3pm
Glasgow v Ulster, Scotstoun Stadium, 3pm
Edinburgh v Leinster, BT Murrayfield, 3pm

• A busy day in the Premier League with seven games down for decision. All eyes will be focused on Anfield in the late fixture as Steven Gerrard waves goodbye to Liverpool – they take on Crystal Palace at 5:30. All other games are 3pm k/o unless otherwise stated.

Southampton v Aston Villa, 12.45Burnley v Stoke

QPR v Newcastle

Sunderland v Leicester

Tottenham v Hull

West Ham v Everton

• Plenty of GAA action too as the Championship gets into gear with senior and minor football fixtures in Leinster.

Leinster SFC first round:Offaly v Longford, Tullamore, 7pm

Carlow v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm

Leinster MFC quarter-finals:

Louth v Meath, Drogheda, 3pm

Wexford v Dublin, Enniscorthy, 3pm

Division 1 ladies football league final replay:

Cork v Galway, O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 7.30pm

                                                Showbiz, baby!

Ian West / PA Archive/Press Association Images Ian West / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images

Georgia on their minds? Maybe. The Irish model is backing Liffey Wanderers in this weekend’s FAI Junior Cup final against Sheriff YC – as are lots of other famous faces.