RUGBY
Toulon have confirmed the capture of Paul O'Connell for next season.
The European champions have announced that the 35-year-old will move to the south of France at the end of Ireland's World Cup campaign.
Toulon say that O'Connell has agreed a two-year deal after securing an early release from his contract with Munster and the IRFU.
Meanwhile, the Ireland Under-20s have been beaten 22-12 by their Welsh counterparts in tonight's 5th place play-off semi-final at the World Under-20 Championship in Italy.
Second half tries from full-back Ciaran Gaffney and scrum-half Charlie Rock proved to be no more than consolation for Nigel Carolan's side who will now have to face Scotland in a 7th place play-off on Saturday.
GAA
The Laois footballers just a week to rest and recover from the disappointment of their Leinster championship exit at the hands of Kildare.
Tomas O Flaharta's side are facing a quick turnaround as they prepare to enter into Round 1A of the qualifiers when they play host to Antrim this Saturday.
The Midlands outfit suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of their neighbours in last Saturday's Leinster quarter-final replay but will be hoping that home advantage will play into their favour this weekend, with throw-in at O'Moore Park this Saturday at 2.30pm.
BOXING
Andy Lee's first official world title defence looks likely to take place on September 5th.
Lee's trainer, Adam Booth has now confirmed that Lee's first title defence will be against Englishman Billy Joe Saunders in early September, with either Limerick or London thought to be the venue options being discussed.
EUROPEAN GAMES
Irish gymnast Kieran Behan has qualified for the All Around Individual final at the European Games in Baku.
Behan was the only Irish gymnast to progress from today's qualifying session in Azerbaijan after ranking in 17th place overall.
Earlier, Jenny Egan failed to qualify for the final of the Kayak Singles while Andrzej Jezierski had to settle for a place in the B final of the Men's Canoe Singles after finishing in 5th place in his semi-final.
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