SOCCER
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended Dejan Lovren after the defender's penalty shoot-out miss knocked them out of the Europa League.
They were beaten in the last-32 by Turkish side Besiktas after a 1-0 defeat in 90 minutes led to extra-time and penalties.
Tottenham are also out, beaten 2-0 away to Fiorentina, with La Viola through 3-1 on aggregate.
While 10-man Celtic lost 1-0 to Inter Milan at the San Siro, with the Serie A side winning 4-3 on aggregate.
Everton are the only cross-channel side through to the last-16 - their 3-1 win over Young Boys at Goodison gave them a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Elsewhere, Feyenoord's clash with Roma was suspended after an inflatable banana was thrown towards Gervinho.
RUGBY
Jordi Murphy is likely to replace the injured Jamie Heaslip in the Ireland team to face England in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Joe Schmidt will name his side after this morning's training session at Carton House.
England will reveal their hand this morning, with Saracens' Alex Goode likely to start at full-back in place of Mike Brown.
Meanwhile, the Six Nations weekend kicks-off tonight.
The Ireland Under-20s will play host to their England counter-parts at Donnybrook (7.05).
And the Ireland Women's team return to Ashbourne looking to bounce back from their agonising loss to France last time out as they take on the England Women (7.30).
Leinster and Ulster are both in Pro 12 action tonight.
Rhys Ruddock starts in the Leinster back-row for their trip to Ospreys.
While Ulster also face Welsh opposition, with the Scarlets visiting Kingspan Stadium.
Both games have 7.35 starts.
GOLF
Pádraig Harrington has a tie for third following a bright start at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach.
An opening-round 67 leaves the three-time Major winner two off the lead on 3-under par.
Rory McIlroy had a disastrous first round - shooting a 73 meaning he'll have to battle back from 3-over.
Rory McIlroy finished birdie-birdie, including pouring in this 30-footer at 17. #QuickHits https://t.co/NEuPy1gySM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 26, 2015
Leading the way is Jim Herman who, on 5-under par, is a shot ahead of his fellow American Brendan Steele.
Kevin Phelan's second round is underway at the Joburg Open - he's currently tied for 14th on 6-under par after 10 holes.
Peter Lawrie will start the day from 5-under, while Gareth Maybin tees off from 3-under.
South African Tjaart van der Walt heads the field on 11-under after 6 holes.
GAELIC GAMES
The 2015 GAA Congress will get underway at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan this morning.
Delegates will vote on a total of 65 motions over the next two days.
Among the topics that will be debated will be the introduction of the black card into hurling as well as another re-working of how penalties are to be governed in the small-ball game.
Also in hurling, today's the start of the Fitzgibbon Cup finals weekend.
It's a distinctly Munster occasion this weekend on the campus of Limerick IT.
Cork IT will take-on Waterford IT in the opening semi-final of the afternoon (1.0).
And the tournament hosts will then be involved in a local derby with UL (2.45).
CRICKET
There's one game in Ireland's World Cup Pool B in Sydney.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first against the West Indies, South Africa were a short time ago 318 for 4.
Time to say bye Brisbane. You have been #Blarnied - a few days before we takeover @ManukaOval #IREvSA @Irelandcricket pic.twitter.com/rsUzqurDTZ
— Larry Leprechaun (@LarryLeprechau) February 26, 2015
RACING
There's action on the all-weather track at Dundalk this evening where the first of eight races is off at 5.35.
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