Morning headlines

SOCCER

Longford Town have suspended one of their players as part of an investigation into alleged match fixing.

The players were interviewed after last night's Leinster Senior Cup win over St Kevin's Boys

The FAI's Diciplinary Control Unit has now opened an investigation and the association says it's shared all the relevant information with UEFA, FIFA and an Garda Siochana.

Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona played-out a thrilling 2-all draw in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

PSG needed an injury-time equaliser to stay in the tie after 3 goals were scored in a frantic closing 15 minutes.

Barca took the lead at the Parc des Princes when Lionel Messi latched onto a superb pass from Dani Alves.

The home side equalised in the 79th minute, even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in an offside position.

The Spanish side restored their lead in the 89th minute when Xavi converted a penalty but PSG ensured that the tie remains alive ahead of the return leg when Blaise Matuidi's injury-time shot took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Bayern Munich have taken control of the other quarter-final after a 2-0 win over Juventus at the Allianz Arena.

The German side will travel to Turin full of confidence after goals in either half from David Alaba and Thomas Mueller sealed a comfortable victory.

There were also two games tonight in the Airtricity League Premier Division.

Shamrock Rovers remain unbeaten at the start of the new season, but the Hoops will be frustrated with their fifth draw so-far after they were held 1-all by Limerick FC at Thomond Park.

A 9th minute goal from Sean O'Connor put Rovers ahead but Limerick equalised through Craig Curran.

In the other game, Dundalk continued their impressive run of form with a 2-1 win over St Pats at Richmond Park. Goals from John Dillon and Kurtis Byrne have helped the Lilywhites to cement their hold on third place in the table.

In the Championship, Watford have re-ignited the battle for the automatic promotion places after a 1-0 win over their hosts, Hull City at the KC Stadium.

In the Champions League tonight Malaga host Borussia Dortmund while Real Madrid meet Galatasaray.

Kick off in both games is at 7.45

RUGBY UNION

IRFU Chief executive Philip Browne says he doesn't know how long it will take to get a replacement for Declan Kidney but they will take as long as is necessary to get the right candidate.

Joe Schmidt, Conor O'Shea, Jake White, Mike Ruddock, Vern Cotter, Ewen Mc Kenzie and Graham Henry are all being lined with the role

The tour of North America will be led by interim Head Coach Les Kiss who will be assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley.

GAELIC GAMES

Laois boss Justin McNulty is reportedly attempting to lure Donie Kingston back into his panel.

Kingston is believed to have quit the panel after he was left out of the starting side for their last 3 games - having to settle for a substitute's appearance in each of them. Having already lost the services of Cahir Healy to the Laois hurlers, McNulty will be hoping that he can convince Kingston to stay.

Barry Moran and Cathal Freeman have been ruled out of Mayo's final Allianz League Division 1 clash with Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Both players sustained injuries while on club duty over the weekend and adds to the injury headache for manager James Horan ahead of this Sunday's game, with Keith Higgins, Andy Moran and Alan Dillon also out of action.

Longford clash with Kildare in the Cadbury under 21 Leinster football Championship final at O'Moore Park.

Throw in is at 7.30

In the Ulster semi finals Cavan meet Down at the Athletic grounds while Donegal face Derry in Omagh.

Throw in is at 8.

GOLF

Shane Lowry will tee off at the Valero Texas Open at 10 past 8 in the evening Irish time tomorrow

The winner in San Antonio will gain a spot at the Masters next week

World number two Rory McIlroy has also decided to play in Texas to fine tune his game ahead of the major, the field also includes Padraig Harrington

RACING

Downpatrick stages one of its biggest meetings of the year, featuring the €25,000 Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National this afternoon

The prestigious event is due off at 5.05pm and is run over a stamina-sapping trip of three miles and four furlongs. Colourful Castleblayney trainer Oliver Brady took the race last year with Duroob and this time around he is represented by Shabra Charity.

The seven-race card at Downpatrick begins at 3.35pm. 

There is also Flat action under the floodlights at Dundalk with a seven race card from 6.20pm

There is a lucrative six-furlong handicap, worth €20,000 in prize-money, and the Damian English-trained Cash Or Casualty will bid to win his fourth race in five starts under Athlone jockey Rory Cleary

Friends of injured jockey JT McNamara say that he was planning to retire from racing after the Punchestown Festival at the end of this month.

The 37-year-old has been told that he's paralysed from the neck down after he fractured two vertebrae in his neck during a fall at the Cheltenham festival last month.

On Eater Monday Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary donated 200,000 Euro to a fund for McNamara after one of his horses won a race at the Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse.

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