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04

Michael Verney: Willie Mullins already has more records in his sights after bid to reign on both sides of Irish Sea

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Just when you thought there were no more frontiers for Willie Mullins to conquer, the Closutton maestro works the oracle yet again with one hand now firmly around his first British Jump Trainers’ Championship.

‘That gives us belief to do what we did last year’ – Graham Rowntree hoping Munster run-in history can repeat itself

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The sense of deja vu is unavoidable when it comes to analysing Munster’s end-of-season URC run-in.

‘We’d love to win an Ulster title’ – Armagh and Rory Grugan determined to win some silverware

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Rory Grugan is happy to bring up the elephant in the room. Armagh and Ulster. The Anglo Celt trophy. It’s 16 years since they won the province, with that 2008 triumph bookending a remarkable spell of dominance and a seventh Ulster title in…

Scott Bemand claims Women’s Six Nations is still viable despite mismatches

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand believes the Women’s Six Nations is viable as a competition despite suffering an 88-10 hammering to England at Twickenham last Saturday.

02

Frank Roche: How the main contenders for the All-Ireland stand after championship’s opening round of games

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From lobbing ’keepers to last-gasp escape acts, the race for Sam Maguire has just got a smidgen more interesting. Irony of ironies, this all happened on the weekend of the big hurling lift-off.

01

My ‘nasty streak’ will relish Dundalk task, insists new boss Noel King

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?Tuesday lunchtime at Oriel Park and the press pack have convened for an unexpected date in the diary. Noel King’s first media gig as Dundalk manager. Who saw that one coming?

Tuesday, Apr 23

00

Kai Havertz bags brace against former employers as Arsenal hammer Chelsea

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Kai Havertz scored twice against his former club as Arsenal tightened their grip on top spot in the Premier League by denting Chelsea’s European aspirations with a thumping 5-0 win.

23

Who is Arne Slot? The Guardiola disciple who coaches like Mikel Arteta

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Arne Slot is the disciple of Pep Guardiola who has strong similarities to Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi in the way he coaches and the intense playing style he demands.

Brian Cooney ensures Westmeath U-20s have the final say in win over Carlow

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A blistering start to the second half enabled Westmeath to edge out Carlow in an entertaining Andrew Corden Cup semi-final in Kinnegad.

Louth deny Dublin to bridge 12-year Leinster U20 football final gap

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Louth reached a first Leinster Under-20 football championship final in 12 years at Parnell Park tonight as Dublin fell short of an 11th consecutive appearance in the decider.

Longford through to Leinster U-20 Cup final after comeback against Wexford

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Longford overturned a one point half-time deficit to defeat Wexford by three points and progress to the Leinster U-20 Andrew Corden Cup final.

Kildare dethroned as Royal command performance puts Meath into Leinster U20FC final

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Meath dethroned All-Ireland champions Kildare with a richly-deserved five-point victory in the EirGrid Leinster Under-20 Football semi-final in Manguard Park.

22

Martin Breheny: Ignore the spoofers hailing Donegal’s win as a Jim McGuinness masterclass

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It has started already – Jim the genius strikes again. Such has been the avalanche of reverence towards Jim McGuinness since Donegal beat Derry that you might think that he had re-invented the wheel, leaving everyone else to scratch along…

21

Kellie Harrington among four Irish boxers to secure medals at European Championships in Belgrade

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It has been a red-letter bronze medal day for four Irish boxers at the European championships in the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Soccer agent sent threatening email to Chelsea director demanding six-figure sum over Kurt Zouma transfer – court hears

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A soccer agent sent a threatening email to a senior director at Premier League club Chelsea, demanding a six-figure commission over the transfer of French defender Kurt Zouma, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday.

Ennis’ Cusack Park to host Munster football final for first time in 105 years

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Cusack Park in Ennis will host a Munster football final for the first time since 1919 after Clare ‘won’ the coin toss for venue.

19

Dart closure for Leinster Champions Cup semi-final blasted as latest rail disruption to hurt bank holiday travel and tourism

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Politicians have reacted with anger at Dart service disruptions during the European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final which will see Leinster take on Northampton Saints at Croke Park on May 4.

The Left Wing: Munster’s statement victory, are central contracts working and Leinster repeating past mistakes?

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After Munster's performance in Loftus, can their win over the Bulls be the catalyst for a URC defence and what about the difference RG Snyman makes?

David Clifford on game innovation, evolving goalkeepers, and how football helped him cope with his mother’s passing

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In Killarney, they are as discerning as the audience at Carnegie Hall about doling out adulation.

18

Feyenoord boss Arne Slot emerges as leading contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

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Liverpool are considering Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as the man to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Graham Rowntree: Munster ‘very happy’ with timescale of Jean Kleyn’s recovery from injury

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Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has allayed fears surrounding the severity of Jean Kleyn’s eye injury, with the South African lock said to be still on track to be fit for the start of next season.

Scott Bemand insists Ireland ‘ready to bounce back’ from England defeat against Scotland

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says the players “are fully ready to bounce back” for Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations finale against Scotland in Belfast.

17

Steven Kitshoff confirmed to have played final Ulster game after season ended by injury

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Ulster prop Steven Kitshoff has played his final game for the province after it was confirmed that he has departed the country following a season-ending knee injury.

Noel King reveals process to become new Dundalk manager took ‘an hour or two’

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Noel King has revealed that the process that led to his confirmation as Dundalk manager lasted an ‘hour or two’ after a call out of the blue for a job that he did not apply for.

16

Erik Ten Hag offers excuse for his £85m signing’s controversial celebration – but admits Antony was wrong

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Erik Ten Hag admitted Antony was in the wrong when he ran in front of the Coventry City fans with a hand cupped to his ear after they were knocked out of the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

PGMOL to allow Nottingham Forest to hear VAR audio of rejected penalty claims as Erik ten Hag calls out club

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Nottingham Forest will be given the opportunity to privately hear the VAR audio connected to three penalty claims in their match against Everton last Sunday.

15

‘The comments are a disgrace’ – A defensive Erik Ten Hag says reaction to FA Cup win was ’embarrassing’

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Erik Ten Hag has branded the reaction to Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”.

14

‘What can happen now though?’ – Shay Given criticises Nottingham Forest over ‘nuclear’ option with VAR accusations

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Former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given sees Nottingham Forest's inflammatory claims directed at match officials following their 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday as counter-productive.

Pat Spillane: When Coca-Cola messed with magic formula, they realised their error – time for GAA to do the same

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In 1985, after 99 years in business, Coca-Cola, the world’s most iconic drinks brand, decided to change its secret formula for making the beverage.

13

English solutions to a problem like the Women’s Six Nations – one novel idea: combine it with the men’s

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England in this Women’s Six Nations give off a similar vibe to Max Verstappen in Formula One. You can appreciate what they are doing is hugely impressive and recognise the quality of their performance, while also feeling slightly…