Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Earls and Murray staying at Munster, Schmidt not permitted to coach Lions, Man City reach League Cup final and Killester’s basketball star Raeshel Contreras

Manchester City’s win over Everton was marred by an injury to Kevin de Bruyne. Photograph: Reuters
Manchester City’s win over Everton was marred by an injury to Kevin de Bruyne. Photograph: Reuters
Thu Jan 28 2016 - 08:28

Earls and Murray staying put

Yesterday the official launch of the 2016 Six Nations took place and while Joe Schmidt was in London to discuss Ireland's prospects of an unprecedented third straight championship it was announced both Keith Earls and Conor Murray had signed new deals with the IRFU.

Earlier in the week Earls had been set to move to Saracens but a remarkable U-turn will see the back stay at Munster, something which pleases Schmidt: “We’re always trying to keep our players. They don’t become unavailable to us, they become less accessible to us.

“Therefore, we’re always going to defer to the guys who are in the country.”

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Schmidt also ruled himselfout of the running to lead the Lions in next year's tour to New Zealand, with his current Ireland contract not permitting him the one-year sabbatical needed to take up the job.

Man City in League Cup final

Manchester City are through to the League Cup final after coming from behind to beat Everton 3-1 at the Etihad last night.

Roberto Martinez’s side, who had a 2-1 lead on aggregate from the first leg, took an early lead through Ross Barkley, but goals from Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero sent City on their way to Wembley.

Killester’s start Contreras

As part of today's Women in Sport section Cliona Foley has spoken to Killester basketball star Raeshel Contreras about her journey from San Francisco to Dublin via South Dakota.

Contreras is currently the top scorer in the Irish premier league but came close to never fulfilling her potential, she said: “Sport can turn your life around. Your dreams are never over, you can always change. You can’t get too down on yourself, you just need people to help you.”

Leona Maguire interview

Somebody who swapped Ireland for America is Leona Maguire, and Philip Reid spoke to the world's number one amateur about her hopes for 2016, including a gold medal in Rio - if she qualifies.

What to watch out for:

Tennis

Roger Federer takes on Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals. (Eurosport 1, 8.30am)

Cricket

Ireland Under-19s are toiling as they try to chase down India’s total of 268 in their World Cup clash. (SS2)