Technology and Transparency Hold the Key to Refs Earning Respect

Read More

Junior Rugby News

Portarlington's Ross Doyle and Tullamore's Adrian Hanley will start for Leinster's Junior team against Munster in the Inter Pros tomorrow afternoon

Doyle is on the left wing while Hanley has been selected to start at number 8

Leinster League winners Tullamore also have Ivor Deverell and Ger Molloy among the replacements

Tomorrow's game kicks off at the St Mary's Club in Limerick at 2.30pm


This evening Mullingar's Conor Gilsenan captains Leinster A against Munster A in the British and Irish Cup Semi Finals at Dooradoyle

Mark Flanagan, also from Mullingar, starts in the back row


Tullamore take on Tullow at Newbridge at 8pm tonight in the Anderson Cup Final

While on Sunday it's Edenderry against Newbridge in the Second's Cup Final at Portlaoise at 3pm

Read More

Punchestown Commentaries on Friday and Saturday

Live commentaries from Punchestown on Midlands 103 over the next couple of days

Today - 5.30pm - Grade One Rabobank Champion Hurdle

Saturday - 3.45 - Grade One Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fillies Scheme European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle

4.25 - Grade One AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle

Read More

Offaly team to play Limerick

The Offaly team to face Limerick in Saturday’s final (Live on Midlands 103 from 5pm)

1 Alan Mulhall (Walsh Island)

2 Paul McConway (Tullamore)
3 Shane Sullivan (Rhode)
4 Brian Darby (Rhode)
5 Eoin Carroll (Cappincur)

6 Sean Pender (Edenderry)

7 Michael Brazil (Tullamore)

8 Alan McNamee (Rhode)

9 Richie Dalton (Edenderry)

10 Graham Guilfoyle (Clara)

11 Brian Connor (Walsh Island)

12 Anton Sullivan (Rhode)

13 Niall Darby (Rhode)

14 Niall McNamee (captain) (Rhode)

15 Ken Casey (St Brigid’s)

16 Gavin Sheil (Killeigh)
17 Ross Brady (Clara)
18 Ruairi Allen (Gracefield)
19 Joe Maher (Ferbane)
20 Johnny Moloney (Tullamore)
21 Paul McPadden (Rhode)
22 Daithi Brady (Ballyfore)
23 Willie Mulhall (Walsh Island)
24 Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh)
25 Eoin Rigney (Rhode)
26 David Hanlon (Edenderry)

Read More

Blog - Scott Gaynor on Brendan Rodgers' work at Liverpool

Read More

Laois minor hurling team V Kilkenny

Laois minor hurling manager Pat Critchley has named his team to play Kilkenny in the Leinster Championship tomorrow


1. Enda Rowland (Abbeyleix Ballypickas)
2. Ryan Mullaney (Castletown Slieve Bloom)
3. Ciaran McEvoy (Portlaoise)
4. Ronan Broderick (Clough Ballacolla)
5. Dwyane Palmer (Camross Gaels)
6. Leigh Bergin (St Fintan's Gaels)
7. Gavin Dunne (The Harps Gaels)
8. Ciaran Collier (Camross Gaels)
9. Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney Errill)
10. Colm Stapleton (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton Gaels)
11. Joe Campion (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton Gaels)
12. Aidan Corby (Clough Ballacolla)
13. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney Errill)
14. Conor Ryan (Portlaoise)
15. John Lennon (Rosenallis)

Tomorrow's game throws in at 3pm at Nowlan Park and we'll have updates on Midlands 103

Read More

66 for Shane Lowry in Spain

A superb second round 66 has brought Shane Lowry to level par at the half way mark of the Spanish Open.

The Clara man sank seven birdies and had one bogey in Valencia today

It's the best round of the tournament by any player so far

Morten Madsen leads at 5 under, David Higgins is best of the Irish at 3 under

Read More

Offaly minor hurling and football teams named

Offaly team to play Carlow in MHC (5pm in Birr tomorrow)

1 Eoghan Cahill (Birr)
2 Rian Kelly (St Rynagh’s)
3 Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
4 Craig Taylor (Birr)
5 Daniel Doughan (Shinrone)
6 Conor Doughan (Shinrone)
7 Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s)
8 Emmet Nolan (Birr) (captain)
9 Donal Mahon (Lusmagh)
10 Alan Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
11 Dylan Murray (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
12 David Kelly (Belmont)
13 James Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
14 Colm Daly (St Rynagh’s)
15 Jordan Fogarty (Shinrone)


Offaly team to play Meath in Leinster MFC (3pm at Navan tomorrow)


1 Jason Dunne (Killurin)
2 Ken Hogan (Tullamore) (captain)
3 James Lawlor (Raheen)
4 Michael Keogh (Raheen)
5 James Hendy (Bracknagh)
6 Oisin Cusack (Durrow)
7 Alan Heffernan (Shamrocks)
8 Patrick Dunican (Shamrocks)
9 Declan Byrne (Raheen)
10 Dean McDonagh (Tullamore)
11 Adam Mangan (Kilclonfert)
12 James Evans (Gracefield)
13 Alan Geoghegan (Ballinamere)
14 Adam Shelly (Tullamore)
15 Rory McNamee (Rhode)

Read More

Moyes to Move?

Read More

Blog: Running Out of Patience

Brian Moss 

Running Out of Patience:

Sometimes running can feel like a chore but when you’re injured you really miss it.

It gets more and more difficult to drive through any major Irish town and not encounter a group of runners pounding the paths and the nation’s roadways. There have been so many negative aspects of the recession but one positive is the explosion of people who are swapping the steel toe for the gel cushion and getting out there and its time to out myself, I’m one of them. Yes were all getting in touch with our inner Forest Gump’s who famously ‘Just felt like running’ and once started didn’t really want to stop. Whether it’s better education on the importance of exercise, influences of programmes such as Operation Transformation or sheer boredom running is very much in vogue. Fun Runs have replaced hangover recovery for many as the Sunday morning ambition and this can certainly only be a good thing. I’m writing about running instead of been out there myself at present as I’m laid up with a back injury, and it’s only when you can’t run that you realise how much you miss it.

I would like to  be able to say I sustained my back injury in some heroic way, perhaps saving a family from a burning building or doling out food parcels in some far flung third world country, but unfortunately  it’s a tad bit more embarrassing, I did my back in whilst been thrown into a boot of a car.

No, no need not raise the alarm, this wasn’t a tiger kidnapping gone wrong, no this was yet more evidence that myself and my fellow 30 year old mates will never grow up. Horseplay would be the prognoses if my mother had seen it. Looking into my friends open boot in a car park a couple of weeks ago I happened to comment that his car had a really big boot, he took this to mean that I wanted to get in. A quick physics lesson for you now kids, when a 6’3 ginger bear wants to put a 5’8 cub into a boot there’s only going to be one winner, and despite my protests in I went, in the process pulling several muscles and a couple of ligaments in my back along the way - I’ve had better mornings.

A visit to the physio later here I am two weeks on from boot gate unable to run until my back recovers and starting to really miss putting on my Asics of an evening and heading off for a jog. Considering we had a pretty horrendous winter and  with the clock going back a couple of weeks ago  heralding the start of the most elusive Irish phenomenon’s – bright evenings I was really looking forward to actually being able to see where I was running, but alas its not to be. One of the more frustrating aspects of not been able to get out there and run is the feeling of wasting precious good weather days which we’ve had a few of lately. Anyone who’s lived in Ireland for at least one month will know how rare they can be. 

Running for many of us who were involved with GAA and Soccer clubs over the years was seen as some kind of punishment. The lap’s part of training was the prelude to actually having some fun and so initially it took me time to get to appreciate the simple act of running without a ball in sight. Initially I didn’t see the point but over the last couple of years I have certainly got the bug.  Runners should be honest though,  the actual process of putting one foot in front  of the other at a half decent pace isn’t the most enjoyable aspect of the whole thing, it’s the feeling when you finish that’s worth chasing. No doubt whether it’s a mile or a marathon you managed to complete, the sense of achievement really is all it’s cracked up to be. I’m sure I’m not revealing any state secrets here for those who already participate but if you are someone who is considering giving it a go take my advice you won’t regret it.

And so as I wait it out until I can get back on the right road literally my waist line unlike our economy  is already showing signs of growth and as I become generally more irritable to be around I’ve come to realise that I’m now a fully-fledged runner. So no more will you hear me complain as I often have in the past when travelling throughout the country about road runners not adhering to the two abreast unwritten rule, or being forced to take a lengthy detour because of yet another fun run, in fact now jealously  of those who can run  is my new complaint.

God I could do with a run!

Read More

Offaly referees get League Semi Finals plus Minor Fixtures

Two Offaly referees have been appointed to the National Hurling League Semi Finals this Sunday

Clara's Brian Gavin will take charge of the 2 O'Clock opening game at Semple Stadium between Tipperary and Division One B winners Dublin

The second match is between All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and Galway at 3.45 where Ballyskenagh native Diarmuid Kiwan will be in charge


Laois' minor footballers will take on Longford in the Leinster Championship at O'Moore Park at 7.30 this Wednesday evening

In the Leinster Minor Hurling on Saturday it's a 3 O'Clock throw in for Kilkenny and Laois and Nowlan Park while Offaly versus Carlow is at O'Connor Park at 7pm

Offaly's minor footballers are also in action on Saturday where they play Meath at Navan at 3pm

Read More

Ladies Football Semi Finals Details

This Sunday's Ladies National Football League Division Four Semi Final between Offaly and Antrim will be played at 2pm in the Monaghan village of Inniskeen

Sean Tracy Park in Tipperary will host the National Ladies Football League Division  One and Two Semi Finals involving Laois and Westmeath on Sunday the 28th of April

Westmeath's Division Two Semi with Kerry will throw in at 1.30pm while Laois' Division One last four clash with Cork is at 3.30pm

Read More

Monday morning headlines

GOLF

Nine months after blowing a four-shot lead in the Open, Adam Scott last night gained sweet redemption with a dramatic Masters triumph at a rain-soaked Augusta.

Scott became the first Australian man to wear the famous green jacket when he defeated Angel Cabrera on the second playoff hole.

Australian Jason Day had led by two with three to play but bogeyed the 16th and 17th to finish seven under, with Tiger Woods, penalised two shots for an incorrect drop in Friday's second round, two further back after a closing 70 alongside another Australian, Marc Leishman.

Scott's win means all four majors have now been won by players using anchored putters, which the game's governing bodies propose to ban from 2016.

GAELIC GAMES

Laois have bounced straight back to Division One B of the National Hurling League

John Brophy's brace of first half goals and Tommy Fitzgerald's goal in the second half helped the O'Moores to a 3-14 to 1-9 win over Westmeath at O'Connor Park

Brendan Murtagh scored the Lake County's goal as they lost their second successive Division Two A Hurling Final

Laois and Offaly will be joined in Division One B next year by Cork, who lost to Clare in the 1A relegation game

Antrim retained their 1B status at the expense of Carlow

Dublin will play Tyrone in the Allianz Football League Division One Final on April 28th.

The Dubs beat All-Ireland finalists Mayo 2-16 to 16 points at Croke Park.

Tyrone got the better of Kildare by 2-15 to 2-11 in the curtain raiser

Ciaran Shanley's last gasp goal has sent Westmeath's minor footballers into the quarter finals of the Leinster Championship

The Lake County defeated Wexford by 1-10 to 0-10 at Cusack Park

Laois play Longford on Wednesday night while Offaly face Meath at the weekend

Shinrone and St Rynaghs will contest the Offaly Under 21 Hurling Final.

Shinrone were 3-13 to 2-11 winners over Kilcormac Killoughey while Rynaghs came from one point down at half time to beat Seir Kieran by nine points in the other semi final

CAMOGIE

Grainne Egan scored 2-7 as Offaly set up an All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final with Wexford in a fortnight

The Faithful beat Antrim by 3-7 to 0-7

Westmeath's Under 16 Camogie team got the better of Kildare to reach the Leinster Final

Laois are set to play Roscommon in the Division Three League Semi Finals, the Rossies defeated Armagh in yesterday’s semi final

LADIES FOOTBALL

Dublin advanced to the Leinster Ladies Minor Football Final with a 5-11 to 1-7 win over Laois

Orla Fitzpatrick scored Laois' goal

RUGBY UNION

All-Ireland League rugby is coming to Tullamore.

The Leinster League champions beat Monivea by 26 points to 19 on Saturday

Tullamore will operate in Division Two B next year

Buccaneers will remain in Division One B following Saturday's results

Buccs won 9-6 Saturday night against Ballymena, Jack Carty kicked three penalties for the Pirates

In the Seconds Cup there were wins for Edenderry and Birr yesterday, Edenderry were 18-10 winners over County Carlow while Birr saw off Tullamore 22-20after extra time

In the Plate the Midland Warriors won 15-10 against Portlaoise

Athlone youngster Robbie Henshaw scored his first try for Connacht on Friday night as the in form westerners won away to Edinburgh in the Rabo Direct Pro 12

Brian O'Driscoll scored the match winning try as Leinster defeated Munster by 22 points to 16 at Thomond Park in the Rabo Direct Pro 12

Leinster had led at half time by 12 points to 10, with all their points coming from the boot of Ian Madigan

Munster's tries were scored by Ian Keatley and Felix Jones, Keatley added two more penalties in the second half

Munster fans will have been concerned by Donnacha O'Callaghan coming off with a knee injury in the second half

Leinster are now second, behind Ulster who won against the Dragons on Friday

Munster’s Paul O’Connell could be cited for a kick on Dave Kearney which left the Leinster man with a concussion

SOCCER

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero could face a retrospective ban, following a two footed tackle during yesterday's FA Cup semi-final 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

He scored the game's winning goal at Wembley, but also lunged at David Luiz in the second half.

The incident went unpunished by referee Chris Foy.

Garbhan Coughlan's second half goal gave Athlone Town a 1-0 win over Finn Harps on Friday night

It was Town's first home win and Finn Harps' first defeat of the season

Athlone travel to Longford for the derby this weekend

Tullamore Town remain third from bottom in the Leinster Senior League's Sunday Major Division following yesterday's 2-1 loss to Swords

Portlaoise side Dynamo Town were crowned CCFL Division Two champions yesterday

Their 3-1 win away to Coolraine saw them edge out Killeigh in the title race

In the Cotter Cup Semi Finals Arlington defeated Mullingar Athletic 3-2 while Willow Park set up a Counties Cup Semi Final with CK following their 5-0 victory against Rosenallis

Tonight in the Airtricty League Premier Division St Pats host Shelbourne at Richmond Park.

Shels are still looking for their first win of the league while the Saints go for three wins  in-a-row, kick off off is at 7.45.

HANDBALL

Billy Mullins and Jim Guilfoyle were crowned All-Ireland Doubles 40 by 20 Diamond Masters champions on Saturday

The Offaly duo got the better of Cork's Paddy Buckley and Chris Hurley at Nenagh

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

The Mullingar Minotaurs began life in Division One A of the Irish American Football League with a 20-6 loss away to Drogheda

The Minotaurs had kept the game scoreless until the third quarter before shipping 20 points, running back Dermot Corroon went over for a consolation touchline for Mullingar

BOXING

Mullingar's David Oliver Joyce took gold and won the boxer of the tournament award at the Gee Bee Multi-Nations in Finland yesterday

It was a dramatic win for the Athy clubman in the lightweight final as he defeated Italy's Fabio Introvaia on a countback

Dean Gardiner won a silver medal at the tournament while Darren O’Neill and Hugh Myres were both bronze medalists

Meanwhile the Irish elite team, including Moate's Joe Ward and Mullingar's John Joe Nevin, have returned home from their training camp in Kazahstan 

ATHLETICS

Kenenisa Bekele successfully defended his Irish Great Run title at the Phoenix Park yesterday

The Ethiopian clocked a time of 28 minutes 51 seconds in strong winds,  Stephen Scullion was the top Irish finisher in seventh overall 

It was an all British top three in the Women's race with Lauren Howarth first home, Linda Byrne was best of the Irish

The boy's 12-15 winner was Tullamore Harriers' Chilnnie Izuchukwi

While there was an Mullingar Harriers podium in the 9 to 11 age group.

Eoin Quinn was first with Andrew Shaw second and Andrew Daly third

Beatrice Drummond, also of Mullingar, won the girls 9-11

RACING

Rawaaq landed the 1000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown yesterday under Rhode jockey Pat Smullen

Trainer Dermot Weld says the fillie could now target the Irish 1000 Guineas

Epsom derby hopeful Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes for the O'Briens

There were celebrations in Ballylinan on Saturday night as All Honours, owned by Christopher Morrissey, landed the two-mile five-furlong handicap hurdle at Tramore

Trained in Wicklow by Phillip Rothwell, All Honours was sent of at odds of 14-1 but ran much better than the betting suggested he would and powered to a four and a quarter length triumph from Robbie Kaydee.

He was ridden to victory by Brian O'Connell.

Read More

CCFL Results and Round Up

O’Neill’s LFA Under 19 Cup Semi Final

St Patricks Ath 3, Tullamore Town 1

Ita Farrell Under 17 Cup Semi Finals

Portlaoise 2, Willow Park 8; Rosenallis 3, Longford Town 1 aet;

Combined Counties Youths Cup Quarter Final

Mullingar Ath 0, Edenderry Town 2;

C.C.F.L Under 19 Cup Quarter Final

Clongowes Wood 1 (11), Mullingar Ath 1 (12) aet;

Under 19 Division

Tullamore Town 3, Clongowes Wood 1;

Combined Counties Cup Quarter Final

Rosenallis 0, Willow Park 5;

Paddy Cotter Cup Semi Final

Arlington 3, Mullingar Ath 2;

Division 1 Cup Semi Final

Tullamore Town 1, Camlin Utd 0;

Division 1 Cup Quarter Final

Moate Celtic 3, Grange Utd 2;

Division 2 Cup Semi Final 1^st Leg

Noreside Celtic 3, Raharney 2;

Division 3 Cup Semi Finals

Colmcille Celtic 2, Clonown Rovers 1; Clara Town 2 (4), Melville Celtic 2 (3);

C.C.F.L Womens Shield Semi Final

Gallen Utd 0, Birr Town 4;

Senior Division

Melville United 1, Clara Town 1;

Premier Division

Stradbally Town 0, Mullingar Town 2; Mullingar Ath 3, Derry Rovers 1;

Division 1

Shinrone 4, Temple Villa 1; Clonbonny 3, Highfield Utd 2;

Division 1 Sat

Inny FC 3, Mostrim Utd 0;

Division 2

Coolraine 1, Dynamoe Town 3;

Division 3A

Portlaoise 5, Emo Celtic 2;

Division 3B

Horseleap Utd 5, Lawrencetown 0;

Division 3 Sat

Newtown FC 6, Rathowen FC 0; Longford Wanderers 4, Ballymahon 0

Division 4A

Mountmellick Utd 2, St Aengus 4;

Division 4B

Killoe FC 1, Monksland Utd 1; Derry Rovers 2, St James 0; Kilcormac Utd 3, St Carthages Ath 3; 

It was another big weekend in the C.C.F.L as the season rapidly moves towards an exciting climax with trophies now been handed out every week.

Dynamoe Town were the big winners this weekend when they clinched the Division 2 League title following a 3-1 win away to Coolraine a result which sees them leapfrog Killeigh to win it with a single point to spare at the top of the table.

 

In Cup action, it was mostly semi final action with several final line-ups decided. There was one outstanding Combined Counties Cup quarter final played where as expected Willow Park qualified for a semi final match up with C.K United following a clearcut 5-0 win away to Rosenallis.

There was a bit of a surprise in the first semi final of the Paddy Cotter Cup where Arlington repeated their League success over Mullingar Athletic in windy Edenderry on Sunday afternoon. The Portarlington men raced into a three goal first half lead thanks to a penalty from Dave Thorpe and a brace of goals from Barry Kenny. Mullingar, with the elements in their favour fought back strongly in the second half  to make it 3-2, but a determined rearguard action by Arlington secured their second successive final in this competition.

The Division 3 Cup final will see Division 3 Saturday outfit Colmcille Celtic take on Clara Town B from Division 3B after the Longford men edged out Clonown Rovers by the odd goal in three, but Clara had to rely on penalties to progress following a two all draw with Melville Celtic in the other semi final.

The final of the Under 17 Cup will be between Willow Park who convincingly defeated Portlaoise and Rosenallis who with C.C.F.L interleague player Cillian Calally in inspirational form came from behind to knock out Longford Town by three goals to one after extra time.

Mullingar Athletic completed the semi final lineup in the Under 19 Cup by knocking out Clongowes Wood in an extraordinary game. It finished one all after extra time with Mullingar prevailing by 12 penalties to 11 as every player on the pitch took at least one spot kick.

  

In other League action, Derry Rovers edged ever closer to the Division 4B title after they beat St James 2-0 and Longford Wanderers have the finishing line in their sights in Division 3 Saturday following a 4-0 win over Ballymahon.

Division 1 however is still very much up in the air with five teams still in with a mathematical chance of claiming the honours. On Sunday Shinrone had a very good victory over fellow hopefuls Temple Villa, while Clonbonny kept their slim hopes of a playoff alive with a 3-2 win over Highfield. Tullamore are in the strongest position however as a win over Temple Villa in their last game next Sunday will guarantee them the title. Any other result in this game though could open up a variety of possibilities where Clonaslee or Shinrone could snatch it, or there could also be several different playoff permutations.

 

Read More

On the Inside Line today

On the show today our feature game is the Division Two A Hurling League Final between Laois and Westmeath which is live from 3.45pm with Jack Nolan, Willie Geraghty and Pat Delaney on commentary

At 2.15 you’ll hear from Tullamore RFC’s Ivor Scully and Conor Molloy on their promotion to the All-Ireland League and the preparations for next weekend’s Towns Cup Final with Longford  

Just after 3 O’Clock we have feature interviews with David May and Denis Irwin who were in the Midlands last night

Former pro Colm Moriarty and golf journalist Denis Kirwan look ahead to the final day of the Masters at 2.30

Racing with John Hackett at 2.45

Connacht full back Robbie Henshaw on his first try in the westerner’s win in Scotland on Friday. Davie Henshaw and Davie Connellan on the weekend’s rugby which included a win for Leinster at Thomond Park

An interview with All-Ireland winner with Cnoc Mhuire Granard Izzy Ilunga and Westmeath minor manager Tommy Carr on their win over Wexford

Roddy Collins speaks about Athlone Town’s win over Finn Harps, Scott Gaynor and Brian McCarthy will be discussing the weekend’s football including the FA Cup Semi Finals and the draws for the last four of the Champions League and Europa League

Offaly ladies football boss Greg Farrelly on their League Semi Final next week

And JP Owens will round the CCFL results at 5.30

All comments on our facebook pages or on twitter @MidlandsSport during the show will be entered into a draw for a €25 voucher for Medipharm.ie

We’re particularly interested in your views on Chelsea/Man City, Paul O’Connell and Dave Kearney incident and Tiger Woods drop ball error at the Masters

Read More

Laois and Westmeath teams

Team news ahead of the Division Two A Hurling League Final which is live on Midlands 103 from 3.45pm

Laois team -

1. Eoin Reilly (St Lazerians Abbeyleix)
2. Brian Stapleton (Borris in Ossory-Kilcotton)
3. Brian Campion (Rathdowney Errill)
4. John A Delaney (Clough Ballacolla)
5. Cahir Healy (Portlaoise)
6. Matthew Whelan (Borris in Ossory-Kilcotton)
7. Gearoid Burke (Camross)
8. Joe Fitzpatrick (Rathdowney Errill)
9. James Walsh (Ballinakill)
10. Stephen Maher (Clough Ballacolla)
11. Zane Keenan (Camross)
12. Willie Hyland (Clough Ballacolla)
13. John Brophy (The Harps)
14. Tommy Fitzgerald (Portlaoise)
15. Brian Dunne  (The Harps)


Westmeath

1. Peter Collins (St Oliver Plunketts)
2. Mark Keegan (Clonkill)
3. Adam Price (Clonkill)
4. Paul Fennell (CTG)
5. Philip Gilsenan (Brownstown)
6. Conor Jordan (Raharney)
7. David Fennell (CTG)
8. Eoin Price (Capt) (Clonkill)
9. Shane Power (Clonkill)
10. Robbie Greville (Raharney)
11. Alan Mc Grath (Clonkill)
12. Derek Mc Nicholas (LLG)
13. Aonghus Clarke (CTG)
14. Brendan Murtagh (Clonkill)
15. John Shaw (Raharney)

Read More

Upcoming live sport on Midlands 103

Sunday - National Hurling League Division Two A Final - Laois V Westmeath from 3.45pm with thanks to Eugene O'Neill, Castlepollard and Laois Injury Clinic

Sunday 21st - Towns Cup Final - Tullamore V Longford from 3.30pm with thanks to Supermacs Tullamore and Coffey Electrical Tullamore

Tuesday 23rd-Saturday 27th - Punchestown Festival commentaries from main races with thanks to Patrick Mitchell and Company Ltd Riverview Commercial Park Tullamore

Saturday  27th - National Football League Division Four Final - Offaly V Limerick from 5pm with thanks to Michael Moore Car Sales, Portarlington

Sunday 28th - National Football League Division Two Final - Westmeath V Derry from 2pm with thanks to Heavin's Expert Hardware Electrical Centre

Read More

Champions League and Europa League Draws

In the Champions league semi finals Bayern Munich will take on Barcelona while Borussia Dortmund face Real Madrid.

The semi-final first legs will be on 23 and 24 April and the return legs on 30 April and 1 May


Chelsea have been drawn to play FC Basel in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
The Londoners will be away for the first leg.

Their Swiss opponents knocked Tottenham out of the tournament last night.

In the other semi, Benfica of Portugal will face Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Read More

Friday morning headlines

GOLF

Sergio Garcia holds a share of the lead after the opening day of the 2013 Masters.

The Spaniard carded a brilliant 6 under par 66 at Augusta National, which matched the earlier score of Australian Marc Leishman.

Dustin Johnson is another shot back on 5-under.

Tiger Woods is well-placed on 2 under par, while Rory McIlroy finished with a level par 72.

Graeme McDowell carded a bogey on the 18th to finish on 1 over par, but Padraig Harrington dropped 3 shots over his closing 2 holes to finish-up on 6 over par.

Northern Ireland's Alan Dunbar is at the bottom of the leaderboard after an 11 over par 83.

14yr old amateur Tianlang Guan birdied the 18 to shoot +1 in round 1 on his debut at Augusta National.

GAELIC GAMES

Henry Shefflin could miss Kilkenny's Leinster Championship opener with Offaly.

Team selector Martin Fogarty says there's no timescale for the nine time All Ireland winner's recovery from a bone and ligament injury in his foot.

Fogarty says they'll just have to wait and see if the foot heals on time.

Cork picked up their first major win since 2010 in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship last night.

The Rebels beat Clare 3-15 to 2-14 at Pairc Ui Rinn.

In Walsh Park Tipperary overcame Waterford 2-18 to 1-15.

In the Leinster Minor Football Championship Kildare had a facile 2-29 to 0-1 win over Kilkenny

Westmeath host Wexford at 3.30pm tomorrow

All-Ireland Vocational Schools Junior Football champions Gallen added the Leinster B title to their collection yesterday as they held off a late Colaiste Iosagain charge to win 3-14 to 3-11 at O'Connor Park

The Cistercian Roscrea were 2-10 to 1-11 winners over Avondale after extra time in the Leinster Schools Senior Football D Semi Finals

The Cork hurlers make two changes ahead of Sunday's Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Relegation Play-off against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds.

Manager Jimmy Barry Murphy has been able to recall fit-again Shane O'Neill and William Egan after last weekend's defeat to Kilkenny.

Killian Murphy and Cian McCarthy are the players to make way.

Meanwhile, Kildare and Tyrone have named their teams for their Division 1 semi-final in Croke Park.

The Lilywhites make three changes from the loss to Down, with Mark Donnellan starting in goal while Daniel Flynn and Niall Kelly come into the half-forwards.

Tyrone have made whole-sale changes with the midfield pairing of Sean and Colm Cavanagh the only line of the team that is unchanged from the loss to Kerry in Omagh.

SOCCER

Chelsea will be the only Premier League club in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The Blues booked their place in the last-four after beating Rubin Kazan 5-4 on aggregate - despite a 3-2 second-leg defeat in Russia.

But Tottenham and Newcastle both lost their quarter-finals.

Newcastle were held to a 1-all draw by Benfica at St James' Park, which saw them go out 4-2 on aggregate.

And 10-man Tottenham suffered an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to FC Basel.

Two goals from Clint Dempsey helped Spurs to force the game to extra-time after a two all draw in Switzerland matched the result from the first-leg at White Heart Lane.

But poor spot-kicks from Tom Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor allowed Basel to win the shoot-out 4-1.

The remaining four teams left in the Champions League will find out who they'll play in the semi-finals this morning.

Spanish sides Real Madrid, Barcelona, along with Germany's Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are all in the pot.

Athlone Town host Finn Harps in the League of Ireland's First Division this evening

Town suffered their first league defeat of the season at Waterford last week while Finn Harps were held to a scorless draw by Wexford Youths

Niall Lanigan and Roddy Collins Junior are suspended for Athlone but Philly Gorman is back and available for selection

Kick off this evening is 7.45pm

In the Premier Dundalk host Derry, UCD meet St Pats, Shamrock Rovers host Bray and Shelbourne host Drogheda.

In the Combined Counties Football League's Premier Division this evening second placed Willow Park B host Birr Town who are fifth

Only five points separate the two clubs with Birr having three games in hand going into the 8 O'Clock kick off 

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has revealed he's received a number of offers to become a manager in the last 18 months.

He's been part of Roy Hodgson's England coaching team since hanging up his boots, and has also impressed as a pundit. He says "two or three roles" have cropped up, but he didn't feel it would be the right decision to accept any of them.

Celtic will have Victor Wanyama available for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final with Dundee United.

He's won an appeal against the red card shown to him in last month's SPL game with St Mirren.

A Scottish FA disciplinary panel has downgraded his offence, and has deemed a yellow card would have been acceptable.

RUGBY UNION

Both Munster and Leinster name their teams today for Saturday’s clash at Thomond Park.

Tonight Ulster host the Dragons at five past seven while Connacht are away to Edinburgh at seven.

Athlone’s Robbie Henshaw starts at full back for Connacht

The Irish Independent suggests that the Irish job is Joe Schmidts to refuse.

According to the report the Union will interview Ewan Mc Kenzie and Jake White soon before making an announcement at the end of the month.

Veteran Munster and Ireland prop Marcus Horan has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old told his Munster team-mates of his decision this morning as the prepares to end a 14-year career that has seen him win 67 Ireland caps as well as representing his province over 220 times - making him their most-capped forward.

The Clare native was part of Ireland's famous Grand Slam winning team in 2009 as well as Munster's Heineken Cup victories in 2006 and 2008.

The Irish Rugby Union Players Association have announced that from this year onwards, their Young Player of the Year Award will be renamed the Nevin Spence Young Player in honour of the Ulster centre, who won the Award in 2011.

RACING

The O'Briens claimed the feature race at Limerick last night as El Salvador took the Summer Twilight Nights Race

The Dermot Weld trained Diesel Ten was a 7 to 1 winner under Rhode's Pat Smullen in the Median Auction Maiden

There's a seven race card at Dudalk from 6.15pm

Ireland's champion jumps trainer, Willie Mullins has been named as the Philips sports manager of the month for March 2013. The award comes after Mullins was named as the top trainer at this year's Cheltenham festival, including a win for Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

BOXING

Matthew Macklin will fight WBA champion Gennady Golovkin in a World Middleweight Championship fight in the US on Saturday June 29th. Macklin will be taking-on the German based Kazakh, who has won all 26 of his career fights - 23 of them by way of knockout.

BASKETBALL

Basketball Ireland have announced that Macron is to become the official kit and leisurewear supplier of their Irish International Programmes.

With eight Irish International Programmes now in full swing, Macron will be busy kitting out each team over the next three years with playing gear, performance wear and leisure wear as our star players take to the International stage.

The partnership will also see the National Basketball Summer Camp in Gormanston branded as the Basketball Ireland Macron Kits National Camp.

Read More

Ulster and Connacht teams named

Connacht's most capped player Michael Swift makes his return tomorrow night when he partners Mike McCarthy in the second row for their game with Edinburgh at Murrayfield

Athlone's Robbie Henshaw is at full back, Mick Kearney moves to number 6 due to Swift's inclusion while John Muldoon starts at 7

Tomorrow's game kicks off at half past seven in the Scottish capital


Connacht XV

15.          Robbie Henshaw
14.          Danie Poolman
13.          Eoin Griffin
12.          Brian Murphy
11.          Gavin Duffy (captain)
10.          Dan Parks
9.            Kieran Marmion

1.            Brett Wilkinson
2.            Adrian Flavin
3.            Ronan Loughney 
4.            Michael Swift
5.            Mike McCarthy
6.            Mick Kearney
7.            John Muldoon
8.            George Naoupu

Replacements:   Ethienne Reynecke, Rodney Ah You, JP Cooney, Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Fetu’u Vainikolo




Tommy Bowe returns to the Ulster side for the first time since December for tomorrows meeting at home to the Dragons.

Peter Nelson is named at full-back instead of Jared Payne, who picked up a slight ankle knock at Twickenham.

Paddy Jackson is rested for the game, so Ruan Pienaar switches to out-half, with Paul Marshall coming in at nine.

With Johann Muller out for three weeks with a bicep injury, Iain Henderson is selected in the second-row alongside Dan Tuohy.

Ulster XV 

15-9): P Nelson, T Bowe, D Cave, S Olding, C Gilroy, R Pienaar, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, R Best (c), R Lutton, I Henderson, D Tuohy, R Diack, M McComish, N Williams;

Replacements: (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, A Birch, N O’Connor, M Allen, A D’Arcy.
         

Read More

Zach Tuohy named in Carlton team to play Geelong

Portlaoise's Zach Tuohy has been named in the half backs for Carlton's AFL Premiership encounter with Geelong

It'll be Tuohy's third start of the campaign, it's his first year as part of the Blue's primary list having been an international rookie for three years

Carlton boss Mick Malthouse has indicated the former Laois underage star may convert to midfield this season

Carlton have lost their opening two games to Collingwood and Richmond

Read More

Begovic Most Likely as Usual Suspects Disappoint

Read More

Thursday morning headlines

GOLF

Padraig Harrington appears to be in good form ahead of the opening round of the 2013 Masters.

Harrington finished on 3 under par during the traditional curtain-raiser to the opening Major of the year - a par 3 tournament played at Augusta National.

Graeme McDowell finished on 1 over par while Rory McIlroy finished on plus 5.

There were also two hole-in-ones today as Ben Crenshaw aced the 115-yard 7th while Nick Watney finished-off his round by holing-out on the ninth hole.

Today McDowell tees off at ten to three, Harrington is away at five to four, Alan Dunbar starts at ten to five and McIlroy begins at twenty to seven.

GAELIC GAMES

Westmeath are set to be without four key players for Sunday's National Hurling League Division Two A Final with Laois

Niall O'Brien, Joe Clarke, Aonghus Clarke and Tommy Gallagher have been ruled out of the O'Connor Park clash which will be live on Midlands 103

A quad injury will see young forward O'Brien on the sidelines for three weeks, Aonghus Clarke has a broken hand, Joe Clarke is recovering from a knee injury while Gallagher has a broke nose

The winners of Sunday's final will be promoted to Division One B and we'll have commentary with thanks to Eugene O'Neill Castlepollard and Laois Injury Clinic

The all Midlands Leinster Post Primary Schools Junior Football B Final between Colaiste Iosagain Portarlington and Gallen Community School Ferbane takes place today.

The two schools will face each other at 4 this afternoon in O'Connor Park Tullamore.

While Cistercian Roscrea are set to play Avondale in the Senior Football D Semis at 12.30 today.

That game will take place in Graiguecullen GAA grounds.

The Cork Under-21 footballers have claimed their third consecutive Munster title. The Rebels have beaten Tipperary by 1-17 to 9 points at Semple Stadium.

Tipperary actually led their opponents by 5 points to 4 at half-time but a second-half goal from Mark Sugrue helped Cork to power their way to an 11 point victory.

That win has helped Cork to reach this month's All Ireland semi-final against Cavan, who retained their Ulster title by beating Donegal by 13 points to 1-6 in their final in Enniskillen.

The defending champions held a commanding 7 points to 2 lead at the break and they never looked like surrendering that advantage, despite a goal from Donegal's Willie Gillespie.

SOCCER

Barcelona and Bayern Munich have booked their places in semi-finals of the Champions League. Barca survived a massive scare in their quarter-final against Paris St-Germain after falling behind to the French league leaders before recovering to claim a one all draw, which was enough for them to advance on the away goals rule.

PSG knew that they had to score to have any hope of reaching the last four and, after they had dominated the opening half, Javier Pastore's well-taken goal in the 50th minute gave them a deserved lead.

The home side responded by introducing Lionel Messi off the bench and the Argentine star played a crucial role in setting-up Pedro for Barca's equaliser, which sealed a three all draw on aggregate.

Bayern's progress into the semi-finals was less dramatic after a 2-0 win over Juventus tonight saw them cruise to a 4-0 aggregate victory. Second-half goals from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro helped the newly-crowned German champions continue their bid for a domestic and European treble this season.

The draw for the semi finals takes place tomorrow morning

There are three Premier league sides trying to reach the Europa League semi-finals today.

Chelsea are first up with a 5 o'clock kick off in Moscow against Rubin Kazan.

The Londoners have a 3-1 advantage from the first-leg.

Newcastle must overturn the same scoreline when they host Portuguese side Benfica at 5 past 8.

Tottenham are 2-2 going into the away leg against Swiss side Basel.

They'll have to win without the injured Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.

Kick off is at five past 8.

Combined Counties Under 19 Division leaders Tullamore Town were 3-0 winners over Clongowes Wood at Leah Victoria Park last night

That result opens up a three point gap at the top

Edenderry Town overcame Mullingar Athletic in the Youths Cup Quarter Finals at Gainstown

UEFA say they plan to investigate the remarks made by Malaga's president following Tuesday night's controversial Champions League quarter-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani questioned Uefa's integrity and suggested racism was a factor in his side's dramatic defeat after the Bundesliga side scored twice in injury time to complete a 3-2 win.

UEFA are proposing tougher sanctions to try and get rid of racism in football. Under new proposals, a club would be forced to partially close the area of the ground where racial abuse has come from if it's their first offence. A second offence would see a match being played behind closed doors while the governing body is also proposing that guilty players and officials be given a minimum 10 match ban.

Liverpool have signed midfielder Lucas to a new long-term contract.

The Brazilian has made over 200 appearances for the Reds.

Portsmouth is to become a supporter-controlled club after the Portsmouth Supporters Trust and the club's former owner Balram Chainrai reached an out-of-court settlement over the ownership of Fratton Park.

The agreement was struck this afternoon just before the deadline set by a High Court judge and has paved the way for the Supporters Group to take control, having already exchanged contracts with the Portsmouth administrators, BDO.

RUGBY UNION

Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate are reportedly set to move to French club Racing Metro when the season ends.

The Welsh international duo have already announced their intention to leave their respective clubs - but have yet to formally announce who they'll be joining. It means that they'll be linking-up with Jonathan Sexton, who is also expected to join the Paris-based club.

Harlequins have launched an investigation into how Munster fans got their hands on so many tickets for Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final at The Stoop.

Munster were only allocated 4 thousand tickets for the game, but Quins have admitted that it was "obvious" to them that there were far more visiting fans in the ground and have accused some Quins fans of selling their tickets.

Tommy Bowe looks set to make his first start since last December after being named in the Ulster squad for this Friday's Pro-12 clash with the Dragons.

The Ireland winger played the last 20 minutes of Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a knee ligament injury.

Anscombe has decided to resh Irish internationals Andrew Trimble and Paddy Jackson for this week's game, while Luke Marshall and Johann Muller are also absent after they were injured during last weekend's game at Twickenham.

BOXING

Former world champion Steve Collins has taken another step towards making his fight against Roy Jones Jnr after being granted a boxing licence for the bout.

The 48-year-old has received medical clearance from the British Board of Control and has revealed that Jones Jnr has also agreed to the fight as they look for the financial backing to finalise the deal.

RACING

The concluding Summer Twilights Race at 20 to 8 is the feature at Limerick this evening

Irish Cesarewitch winner Voleuse De Coeurs makes a seasonal reappearance in the race with Offaly jockey Pat Smullen booked for the ride.

The going is good for the seven race card which gets underway at 25 to 5

Last night there was a double for the O'Briens at Dundalk as champion jockey Joseph steered home Master Speaker and Count Of Limonade for his father Aidan

Read More