The heat of the championship is rising, especially with Cork's stand to get their game against Kerry played in Páirc Uí Rinn after Páirc Uí Chaoimh was booked for an Ed Sheeran concert. Columnist Darragh Ó Sé writes the whole debacle has been a disgrace: "The Cork footballers saw an opportunity to plant their flag and take on the world. But God almighty, this looks like a cause without any rebels. What's their big victory here?"
Meanwhile, Limerick hurling forward Gearóid Hegarty was shouting "disgrace" about another issue, the rule that dictates that if any under-20s player features in a senior intercounty championship game, they can only play in the underage grade in the same season once their team has been knocked out of the championship. Hegarty says "It is the worst rule I have ever heard in my life, in the GAA." Seán Moran writes that the decision making of voluntary referees is on trial. It has been known in previous cases for as many as 50 questions to be posed to a voluntary match official with the clear intention of catching them out rather than seeking clarification of some ambiguity in their decision making.
Gordon D'Arcy writes that Leinster's defeat in South Africa inspired a trip down memory lane, as his first Ireland rugby tour was in the country in 2004. D'Arcy was welcomed by locals pushing the bus from side to side, while the match posed "huge physical challenges". The organisers of the URC and the rugby unions are on a collision course regarding the timeframe of next season's competition, with the URC proving less willing to compromise than other domestic leagues. In the URC this weekend, Bundee Aki is one of three players who may be left out this weekend when Connacht take on the Sharks in Durban.
Manchester City beat Real Madrid in a thrilling seven-goal first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night that was as good as the competition gets. It's all to play for after Benzema's late penalty gave the Spanish side a fighting chance against the odds. The odds were good to trainer Gordon Elliott at the Punchestown festival in Kildare, as he enjoyed a 21,293/1 four-timer on day one. Elliott setting the tone as Mighty Potter upset the Mullins applecart with a surprise success in the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle. Meanwhile, Northwestern Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald is eager to touch down on Irish soil at the Aviva Stadium for their college American football game at the Aviva Stadium in August, with tickets for the event on sale this Friday.
