We'll Leave It There So: IRFU talk to Joe, U17s book Championship place and all today's sport

Here’s all the sport you almost missed today.

Phelps Returns Swimming Michael Phelps was back in competition for the first time since his 6 month DUI suspension. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

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There are absolutely no plans afoot for the GAA to sell the naming rights to Croke Park.
Ireland have qualified for this summer’s Uefa U17 Women’s European Championship finals in Iceland after earning the best runners-up spot.
Olympian Lisa Kearney has tweeted her disappointment as an injury appears to have ended her hopes of representing Ireland at Rio 2016.
The IRFU have confirmed that talks are ongoing to commit Joe Schmidt to being Ireland’s head coach beyond 2016.
The rugby players’ union, IRUPA, revealed their shortlist for player of the year today.

Away

The Professional Footballers Association in England also unveiled their shortlist for this season’s gongs today.
The two most popular clubs in French football are currently boycotting Canal+.
Diego Brandao wants a rematchwith Conor McGregor, because getting beat is a lucrative business these days.

The Best Thing We Shared

This (apparently) is a 1800 degree backside quadruple cork. And it had never been done until Billy Morgan managed it.
https://vine.co/v/ezKxBliiiLz

Where We Were Today

Before they all head to Marseille for a sunny weekend away, Murray Kinsella went to Leinster’s press conference in Clonskeagh,

Jamie Heaslip Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Meanwhile, Fintan O’Toole was hearing from the great and good of Dublin football at the club championship launch in Parnell Park.

Diarmuid Connolly of St. Vincent’s GAA blasts one past the photographer. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

On The Record

My first game for Shannon was against Young Munsters in Thomond Park in ’92, — The one place I didn’t want to be was off my feet at a ruck. At the moment, you’re actually looked after off your feet in the game.”

–Munster coach Anthony Foley wants old fashioned rucking brought back into the game.

The Fixture List

There’s a full programme of Airtricity League games on the go from 19.45 tomorrow night. There’s also a Challenge Cup semi-final to kick off your European rugby weekend when Edinburgh host the Dragons in Murrayfield.

Showbiz, Baby!

This tweet is going to make the Wasps dressing room an interesting place over the next few days.

wasp

‘I get paid in GAA team news’

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