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• In his exclusive column for The42, Conor McGregor‘s coach John Kavanagh says part of him can see the hugely-anticipated battle between The Notorious and Jose Aldobeing over in 60 seconds.
• After being linked with a move for quite a while, Richie Towell has left Dundalk and signed with Championship leadersBrighton.

• For the fourth straight season, Robbie Keane has been named in the MLSTeam of the Year.
• Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out for up to six weeks after breaking his hand during the frantic finale of Connacht‘s victory over Munster at Thomand Park.
• Michael Quinlivan was the hero for Clonmel Commercials on Sunday, as the Tipp side claimed Munster senior club glory. Here’s why the match-winner thinks opponents Nemo Rangers are like Barcelona.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

• Mattie Kennyrefused to be drawn on the speculation linking him with the vacant Galway senior hurling post.

Away

• The five-time NBA champion and basketball icon Kobe Bryant has announced that he’ll retire at the end of this season.

Associated Press Associated Press

• The Ballon d’Or shortlist has been released and it will be a shoot-out between Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.
• Bolton were in the Premier League just three years ago but now can’t pay their players.
• Steven Gerrard is back at Liverpool…and enjoyed a first training session under new Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Best Thing We Shared

Tonight, Jonah Lomu is laid to rest at a private family funeral. But earlier, there was a public ceremony at Eden Park with a host of former All Blacks present.

And they gave one last, emotional salute to their friend and comrade.

Where We Were Today

Sean Farrell was at UCD to check in on Leinster‘s latest training session and to get the thoughts of scrum-half Eoin Reddan, who says no one is satisfied by the recent win over Ulster.

Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

On The Record

I hope it (GPA) will never be universally accepted because if it is, it will have stopped doing its job. The most important thing is that players continue to be in control of their own destiny, (that) they have a very strong voice but always remember as well that we are part of the GAA. It’s a healthier thing for the Association in the long term to have a players’ body, there always needs to be friction between the players and administrators, that should always remain.”

Donal Óg Cusack recently stepped away from the GPA but has been reflecting on his 13 years with the organisation.

The Fixture List

The Capital One Cup dominates with three games on Tuesday night. Manchester City host Hull, Middlesbrough take on Everton while Stoke welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Brittania. All those fixtures get underway at 7.45.

Showbiz, Baby!

Winter time means that the NFL season can experience some unforgiving weather but thanks to those really smart people in the TV world, viewers didn’t have to worry too much when the snow arrived during Sunday Night Football - the network just super-imposed the field markings.

‘Google is too big’

John Kavanagh: Part of me can see this fight being over in 60 seconds

Appreciate the genius of Kobe Bryant with the best plays of his career