The John Delaney saga rolls on. It's been almost a week now since the long-time FAI chief execeutive was strategically moved to a brand new position of exectutive vice-president but the fallout shows no signs of abating. Tuesday's tennis ball protest during the game between Ireland and Georgia was followed, reportedly, by FAI board meetings which did not included Delaney and all the while we move ever closer to April 10th when the new executive vice-president will have to face an Oireachtas committee. It's a rollercoaster ride that shows no signs of stopping and last night it took another twist as a number of officials from leagues around the country released a joint letter in support of Delaney. "It is that very parish pump political style he employs in order to maintain his popularity that is routinely seized upon by his critics," writes Emmet Malone. Expect plenty more twists and turns in this saga which will also be analysed in depth by Emmet Malone in tomorrow's Irish Times.
Moving on to rugby and this weekend sees Leinster take on Ulster in a Lansdowne Road Champions Cup derby while Munster travel to Edinburgh also looking for a place in the last four of Europe's premier competition. You can read all you need to know about the Champions Cup quarter-finals here, while Matt Williams writes that the Irish teams must follow the certain golden rules of knockout rugby. "To be successful in sudden death rugby there are unwritten truths. "Lore" passed down through the generations by the wisdom born of joyous victory, and the pain of bitter defeat," he writes. Meanwhile, Michael Cheika was in town yesterday and he looked ahead to the clash between his former club Leinster and Ulster which he says is sure to bring a special atmosphere. "Mate, it's interesting. I've experienced a few derbies in the Heineken Cup and both ends of the derby sword, and the one thing I've noticed is that there's a really different atmosphere around the game," he told Gerry Thornley. This evening Connacht go into their Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Sale as the undoubted underdogs but that is not a tag that will faze them.
In GAA we're gearing up for a weekend of Allianz League final action and what better time then to welcome back our columnist Jackie Tyrrell. The former Kilkenny man returns this week with a look ahead to this year's hurling championship and how the battle for the middle ground will be key in an every developing game. Four football league titles are up for grabs over Saturday and Sunday and Seán Moran has looked back over all of the action so far to bring you the winners and losers from the 2019 league campaign.
On to golf and there were good days for the Irish across the board yesterday. Firstly, Rory McIlroy made it back-to-back wins in his group at the WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay at Austin Country Club. The 29-year-old saw off South Africa's Justin Harding to take control of his group and ensure that he only needs a half against Matt Fitzpatrick today to advance to the last-16 where he could meet Tiger Woods if the American can beat Patrick Cantlay and hopes that Aaron Wise sees off Brandt Snedeker. There was also some good news for Shane Lowry who battled hard to earn a half point in his match against Patrick Reed. The Offalyman can't make it to the knockout stages but even that half point looks like it could be enough for him to maintain his place in the world's top 50 and therefore qualify for the Masters – the cut-off point for which is on Monday. Lowry is not yet guaranteed that spot but a win today against Andrew Putnam will almost certainly see him head to Augusta. Meanwhile, down in the Dominican Republic, Paul Dunne is making the most of a rare PGA Tour start with an opening 66 to tie the lead. The Greystones man secured a place in the field for the secondary event thanks to the world's top-64 playing in the matchplay and he got off to the perfect start in breezy conditions.
