Maybe it's time we cut Munster a little slack, writes Gerry Thornley in his column today, as he says there is no shame in Munster's valiant exit from the European Champions Cup at the hands of Toulouse by the cruel lottery of a penalty shoot-out. He writes: "As is usually the case, they added real value and a sense of occasion to the Champions Cup in a way that few others can come close to equalling."
Owen Doyle writes referee Luke Pearce made a few questionable calls in the game, who says of the Simon Zebo potential red card incident: "You have to wonder if the protocols require such strict adherence. Neither did the officials consider a sanction increase which might have accrued because the challenge was late, and that also Arnold appeared to hit his shoulder into the winger's head, after the so-called tackle was complete."
Next for Toulouse is Leinster and more than 25,000 tickets have been sold already for Saturday's game at the Aviva. Leinster are bullish about their chances, however, as forwards coach Robin McBryde expects a "step up again" against the defending champions, following their victory over Leicester in the previous round.
In GAA, Kevin McStay analyses the weekend action and says Donegal's road to an All-Ireland win lies in Michael Murphy at full forward as Declan Bonner and his coaching staff need to come up with a game plan to utilise their star player. "The game is in an era when the once mythical full forward figure is almost forgotten. But that doesn't mean he can't return." Meanwhile in hurling, Len Gaynor is confident Tipperary are heading in the right direction, as former manager says Colm Bonnar was dealt an impossible hand by injuries/retirements this season but impressive new talent is emerging for the future. Plenty of new talent was on show as Kilkenny held off fast-finishing Wexford to seal Leinster under-20 crown.
In golf, young professional John Murphy will be playing in this week's PGA Tour event, the Byron Nelson, and he has said he is looking towards fellow Munster man Séamus Power for inspiration this week. The Cork golfer, a graduate of the University of Louisville, is taking part in $9m dollar event in Texas on a sponsor's invite. Elsewhere, Peter McEnery is set for a second wish to come true at the Irish Open as the 26-year-old, who lives with Cystic Fibrosis, will play pro-am with Pádraig Harrington.
In the League of Ireland, Graham Burke's rapid hat-trick sends Shamrock Rovers top of the pile, as he scored three times in 15 minutes to give Rovers a 3-1 win over Sligo. They moved ahead of Derry City after the Candystripes failed to overcome a determined St Patrick's Athletic at a packed Brandywell Stadium. In the Premier League, Steven Gerrard says the current Liverpool team is probably the best in the club's history as they face Aston Villa tonight with their title hopes hanging by a thread. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp dismisses Guardiola's claim that wider public want Liverpool to win title.
