Katie Taylor didn't even need to throw a punch in her semi-final win. Octavian Cocolos / INPHO Octavian Cocolos / INPHO / INPHO

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• Katie Taylor earned a victory by walkover against her Olympic final opponent Sofya Ochigava to reach the semi-finals of the AIBA World Championships.
  
• Paul O’Connell rubbished claims that he will join French side Pau after the World Cup.
• Dave Kearney and Jordi Murphy have both returned from injury to make the Leinster side for the away trip to Treviso this Sunday.
• Former All-Ireland winner Paul Curran has stepped down as the manager of Ballymun Kickhams.
• The FAI have responded to criticism from fans about how away tickets are allocated by creating a new database for fans to apply to.
• Shane Lowry hit his first hole-in-one as a professional at the DP World Tour Championship.
• It was announced that the Irish government will give a €1.2 million grant to Irish grassroots football.

Away

Apparently Arsene Wenger was very close to signing Leo Messi. PA WIRE PA WIRE

• How close did Arsenal come to signing Lionel Messi? Very close according to their manager.
• Steve Bruce has defended Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan after he made remarks about jewish people saying Whelan is not a racist.
• Phil Mickelson is getting into shape ahead of next year with some ridiculous workouts.

The best thing we shared

It is Eddie O’Sullivan’s birthday today and we remembered his epic profanity-laden speech before Ireland played England in 2007.

On the record

“I never claimed that I would be his social worker, I’m just a rugby coach. Honesty, straightforwardness and directness – I’ve found that works to get the best out of him. And just have a really good honest relationship. Nobody is going to be perfect, me included. If you are honest, more often than not you can get a resolution.”

Michael Cheika spoke to the media on how he likes deal with the mercurial Kurtley Beale.

Where we were today

Murray Kinsella was at the Aviva for Ireland’s captain’s run.

Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

The fixture list

• Ireland’s autumn series concludes tomorrow with a game against Australia at the Aviva Stadium at 16.30. Wales also host the All Blacks.
• The Premier League returns with the standout game being Arsenal vs Manchester United at 17.30.
• The Ireland international rules team take on Australia in Perth at 9.45 am.

Showbiz, baby!

What do you think of Tom McGurk’s trip to the ‘Outback’?

Mils Muliaina might have given Irish players the secret to finally beating the All Blacks

There was plenty of classic banter at Malky Mackay’s first Wigan training session