Ireland players make their way to the pitch ahead of their U19 international against France in Limerick. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

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• Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been ruled out of this summer’s European Championships after suffering a serious knee injury in last night’s friendly against Slovakia. 
• Katie Taylor will be one of nine Irish boxers fighting for a place at Rio 2016 in next month’s Olympic qualifiers in Turkey.
• Tipperary senior football manager Liam Kearns has accused local fixture makers of ‘abusing’ young players.
• Anthony Foley says Munster’s new recruit, John Andress, will bring experience to his pack next season.
• Cork will be without six of the team from last year’s Munster final replay loss to Kerry for Sunday’s clash against the Kingdom.

Ulster's Andrew Trimble speaks to the media ahead of the weekend's clash against Connacht. Presseye / Stephen Hamilton/INPHO Presseye / Stephen Hamilton/INPHO / Stephen Hamilton/INPHO

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• Valencia have today sacked head coach Gary Neville just four months after his appointment.
• Former Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has been appointed as Canada’s new boss.
• Man City defender Martin Demichelis has been charged by the English FA for ‘misconduct in relation to betting.’
• Referee Nigel Owens will make history in June when he takes charge of the Test match between Fiji and Tonga.
• Wales will be without winger Alex Cuthbert for their summer tour of New Zealand after he underwent knee surgery.
• Yaya Toure‘s agent says the midfielder is in talks with European clubs and will leave Man City this summer.
• The Rugby Players’ Association has released a strong statement in defence of Joe Marler, slamming the ‘excruciating media witch hunt’ against the England prop.
• UFC fighter Jon Jones was last night arrested for an alleged probation violation, just five days after he was cited for multiple traffic offences.

The Best Thing We Shared

Jack Butland to Rob Elliot. Well played!

On The Record

“Nick is only in that situation because he’s so tough and is one of those boxers who goes out there and puts it on the line.”

David Haye will donate 10% of the ticket sales from the second fight of his comeback to stricken middleweight Nick Blackwell.

Where We Were Today

Ryan Bailey was at Donnybrook for the launch of Leinster Rugby’s School of Excellence.

Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

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The headline writers at the New York Post deserve an award for this.

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Analysis: Connacht continue to be the brightest light in Irish rugby

Poll: Who do you think will win Saturday’s EirGrid Connacht and Leinster U21 football finals?