1. #PREMIER LEAGUE Stephen Ireland may make his long-awaited Newcastle United debut tonight.

The Cobh native has been included in the Magpies squad for the clash with leaders Manchester United.

The controversial 24-year-old spent the last few days at the bedside of partner Jessica Lawlor after she suffered multiple injuries in a road accident last week.

2. #GAA Kilkenny boss Brian Cody says Dublin’s progress to the Division 1 final of the Allianz Hurling League is fully deserved and expects a real test from Anthony Daly’s side in the decider.

Dublin booked their place in the finale with a win on Leeside this weekend while Kilkenny topped the standings after an expected win over Offaly.

The Cats will have to plan without Aidan Fogarty too it seems. He faces three months on the sidelines after being stretchered off with a broken bone in his leg at Nowlan Park.

3. #WALK ON The controversial appearance of former Liverpool players Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton on an RTÉ programme that will be sponsored by The Irish Sun will not now happen.

RTÉ confirmed to TheJournal that the Irish football legends will not be taking part in their ‘Premier Soccer Sunday Live’ after criticism from Liverpool fans

4. #RUGBY Gavin Henson’s hopes of securing a long-term deal with Top 14 side Toulon may be in jeopardy after the Welsh international was slapped with a one-week ban by the French club.

A statement issued by the club indicated that Henson had failed to “respect the code of good behaviour defined by the club,” but did not go into any further detail about the incident.

Clogging the dressing-room drains with St Tropez may be the answer.

5. #SNOOKER Ronnie O’Sullivan was in  flying form yesterday as he twice threatened a 147 maximum.

The Rocket takes a commanding 7-2 lead after the first session of his first-round match against Dominic Dale in the World Championships in Sheffield.

6. #PHOTO FINISH We’re not usually Nascar guys around here – but this is some denouement, as they say in Texas.