Richie Towell takes a good look at his Player of the Month award. Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

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• Irish UFC fighter Cathal Pendred announced his retirement from MMA.
• Thomas Barr has been named Irish Athlete of the Year at the 2015 GloHealth National Athletics Awards.
• Ireland scrum-half Kieran Marmion signed a new two-year deal with Connacht

• Broadcaster Matt Cooper says he will present TV3′s Six Nations coverage  but nothing has been agreed.

• Former Limerick boss Liam Kearns has been confirmed as Tipperary’s new senior football manager.

  Away

• The NFL have confirmed five of the six teams to play in London next year.
• Cardiff hooker Matthew Rees has been handed a seven-week ban for stamp.
• Jack Grealish has been told to train with Aston Villa’s development squad after his recent late-night partying.
• New Zealand legend Dan Carter insists departures won’t curb the dominance of the All Blacks. 

• Steven Gerrard confirms he will make a return to Liverpool but it will only be to train.

• Golden State Warriors have become the first NBA team to go 16-0  

The Best Thing We Shared

Liverpool’s likeable boss Jurgen Klopp learning Scouse slang, giving life advice for 9-year-olds and his sharing his love of The Beatles. What a guy.

Where We Were Today

Ryan Bailey was at the Launch of the Life Style Sports ‘We Are Many, We Are Leinster’ campaign.

Ian Madigan, Sean O’Brien and Eoin Reddan spoke at the launch of the Life Style Sports campaign Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Meanwhile, Ben Blake was there to see Richie Towell presented with his third Player of the Month award for this year’s Airtricity League.

On The Record

You can switch off a little bit and maybe eat a bit more of what you’d like, one or two drinks. But I think at that stage, I’ll be fairly heavy into the rehab.

Paul O’Connell discusses the changes in his lifestyle as he begins his long rehabilitation process following hamstring surgery.

The Fixture List

The Europa League is back tomorrow. Tottenham travel to Azerbaijan to face FK Qarabag (6pm), Liverpool host Bordeaux (8.05pm) while Celtic welcome Ajax to Parkhead (8.05)

Showbiz, Baby!

Steph Curry overload? Nope, not even close. He makes everyone else look like they’re operating in slow motion.

Live blog: Manchester United v PSV, Champions League

Paul O’Connell dreaming of a Christmas that’s anything but light