MORNING HEADLINES RUGBY UNION Connacht centre Bundee Aki is set to miss their European Challenge Cup clash against Exeter this weekend. The New Zealander, who has paired alongside Athlones Robbie Hensaw in recent weeks, injured his ankle in last Fridays loss to Edinburgh in the Pro 12. Hell meet with a specialist today to determine whether surgery is required on the problem. In better news for head coach Pat Lam, forward Nathan White stepped up his recovery by playing the first half of Connacht Eagles 17-0 win over Leinster A yesterday afternoon. Buccs Mata Fifita and Conor Finn with the tries there for the Eagles. GOLF Rory McIlroy shot five birdies on his back nine as he carded a five under par opening round of 67 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Starting out on the back nine, the World number one started with a birdie before dropping a shot on the 17th but bounced back after the turn with birdies at 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. Thomas Pieters is the early clubhouse leader at 7 under. SOCCER Shane Long got the only goal last night as Southampton booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Mick McCarthys Ipswich. The Irish internationals instinctive finish in the 19th minute proved to be enough for the Saints to come-out on-top of a scrappy third round replay at Portman Road. The win sets-up a home match for Southampton against Crystal Palace in the fourth round. Elsewhere... Tottenham bounced-back from conceding twice inside the opening eight minutes to beat Premier League rivals Burnley by 4 goals to 2. Spurs will now have home advantage for their fourth round match against Leicester. And in last nights other replay, Bradford cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Millwall at Valley Parade, which sets-up a trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the League One club. Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says Wilfried Bony might not be their final signing during the current transfer window. Hes moved from Swansea for around 28-million pounds. Pellegrini says there might still be funds available if needed. The John Count McCormack Hall at Athlone IT plays host to the finals of the Athlone and District Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Leagues Futsal competition this evening. After 55 Group games where 192 goals were scored its down to the final eight teams. The first of 15 matches kicks off at 6pm and all the action will be streamed on aitsport.ie TENNIS James McGees bid to qualify for the Australian Open tennis is over. The Dubliner has lost out to Australian Dane Propoggia in this mornings second round qualifier. Propoggia won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. GAELIC GAMES Armagh and Down picked up McKenna Cup wins in testing conditions last night. Gavin McParland scored 2-4 as the Orchard men beat Saint Marys by 2-11 to 0-14 at the Gaelic Grounds. Conor Laverty found the net as Down overcame UUJ 1-13 to 1-7. SNOOKER Belfasts Mark Allen booked his place in The Masters quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace yesterday. Later today, the quarter-final action gets underway with Ronnie OSullivan facing Marco Fu in the afternoon session. The evening match in London will pit Ali Carter against Neil Robertson. RACING Charlie Swan has announced that hell retire from training horses at the end of this month. Swan had prepared Grade One winners Offshore Account and One Cool Cookie at his yard in Cloughjordan but says rising costs have affected the viability of his operation. As a jockey he partnered the great Istabraq to three Cheltenham Hurdles. On the track today Ryanair Chase hopefuls Don Cossack and Champagne Fever are set to clash at Thurles. The Gigginstown House Stud owned Don Cossack is currently the second favourite for the Ryanair having won the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month. The line-up is completed by last years winner Texas Jack and Smokey Joe Joe. That feature race is off at 2.45pm, the seven race card gets underway at five past one.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:30:36 +0000
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