(Katie Taylor in Dublin Airport with Gearoid Murphy (9) and Oisin Murphy (8) after winning a fifth lightweight title at the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships in Jeju, South Korea)

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• FAI Chief Executive John Delaney has apologised after he was caught on camera singing a republican song.
• Ulster Rugby have expressed optimism after Chris Henry underwent heart surgery.
• The Sports Personality of the Year shortlist has been announced, with Rory McIlroy the clear favourite to prevail.
• Leo Cullen has done little to downplay speculation that Robbie Henshaw could become a Leinster player eventually.

Away

Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

• Australian cricketer Phil Hughes is in critical condition after suffering a freak head injury.
• Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is far from untouchable in his role as Liverpool manager.

The best thing we shared

The Irish amputee footballers’ World Cup 2014 preview video, replete with a Roy Keane cameo, is top class.

Patrick Butler / Vimeo

On the record

“I’m used to driving from Cork to Dublin or Cork to Derry or Cork to Sligo or whatever the case may be for domestic games. So flying from Boston to Los Angeles on a six-hour flight for a domestic game is a strange one.”

Irish referee Alan Kelly tells TheScore.ie about life as an MLS official.

Where we were today

Sean Farrell was on the scene as the Leinster squad were put through their paces in UCD.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The fixture list

• The Champions League continues, with Liverpool’s trip to Ludogorets among the key ties.
• The Irish Defence Forces are in action at the the CISM European Football Championship, as they take on Germany.

Showbiz, baby!

Conor McGregor pays a visit to fellow Irish MMA fighter Aisling Daly in the latest episode of The Ultimate Fighter. 

“He’s sailing perilously close to David Brent territory again.”

Simon Hick column: Schmidt’s Ireland aren’t playing beautifully but they might never need to>

24 stats to back up Lionel Messi being called the ‘greatest player in football history’>