GAELIC GAMES
The GAA are seeking further clarity from the government regards a return to play.
The association says it will be Easter at the earliest before any inter-county action is possible.
The GAA say the government’s Living with COVID roadmap makes it impossible to plan fixtures for 2021.
RUGBY
Munster and Leinster have been guaranteed home draws for the last-16 of this season’s rearranged Heineken Champions Cup.
They’ve been given home advantage based on results in the curtailed pool stage.
Both Ulster and Connacht drop into the Challenge Cup.
Draws for the knockout stage of both competitions will be made on March 9th.
The round of 16 is due to be played across the first weekend in April.
The Champions Cup final is still pencilled in for Marseille on May 22nd.
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Iain Henderson says he’s only ever had eyes for playing in Ireland.
The lock has signed an extension to stay with Ulster through to the summer of 2023.
Henderson says he’s not a player to use interest from abroad as leverage for a better deal.
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Former teammates have led the tributes to ex-Ireland prop Gary Halpin who has died at the age of 55.
The Kilkenny native won eleven international caps, and scored a famous try against the All Blacks at the 1995 World Cup.
Halpin also represented Ireland at the 1987 World Athletics Championships in the hammer event.
SOCCER
Dundalk have added some proven firepower to their squad ahead of the new season.
They’ve signed former Derry City and Sligo Rovers striker Junior.
The 26-year old was the top scorer in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in 2019 while at Derry.
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Manchester City’s quadruple odyssey has taken them to Budapest.
The Premier League leaders are playing the away leg of their Champions League tie with Borussia Monchengladbach (pr: Munchin-Glad-Back) on neutral ground.
Kick-off is at 8.
At the same time, last season’s surprise package Atalanta entertain Real Madrid.
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Tottenham should book their place in the Europa League last-16 tonight.
They hold a 4-1 lead heading into their second leg at home to Wolfsberger.
Matt Doherty starts for a much-changed Spurs side, and kick-off is at 5.
SNOOKER
Jordan Brown has come crashing down to earth with a bump.
After winning the Welsh Open on Sunday, he was whitewashed 6-nil by John Higgins in the first round of the Players’ Championship.
Higgins will face the winner of the first round match still ongoing in Milton Keynes.
CYCLING
Sam Bennett has claimed his first stage victory of 2021.
Last year’s winner of the Tour de France green jersey won today’s fourth stage of the U-A-E Tour.
Bennett claimed the stage in a sprint finish from David Dekker and Caleb Ewan.
Tadej Pogacar retains the overall race lead.
RACING
All amateur riders, including leading names Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd won’t be allowed to ride at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
It’s been confirmed that British Covid protocols rule them out at least until the end of March.
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Horse Racing Ireland has announced that the Gowran Park meeting, which was to be held this Friday, February 26 but was cancelled today due to waterlogging, will now be rescheduled on next Tuesday, March 2.
