Henrik Stenson reacts after holing out for an eagle at the seventh
World number two Henrik Stenson shared the lead with England's world number 346 Eddie Pepperell after the third round at the Nordea Masters in Malmo.
Stenson shot the best round of the day, an eight-under-par 64, to move to on 13 under overall and lead the way with Pepperell, who shot a 65.
The home favourite racked up seven birdies and an eagle two at the seventh alongside one bogey to put himself in pole position ahead of the final day.
Pepperell, 23, whose only professional victory to date came on the Challenge Tour two years ago, fired eight birdies and looked set to finish the day with the outright lead, only for a bogey at the 17th to drop him back.
Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and Spain's Alvaro Quiros were a shot off the pace.
The former shot a 65, also picking up eight birdies and a bogey, while Quiros went round in 66.
France's Victor Dubuisson and Welshman Bradley Dredge were also well-placed on 11 under and 10 under respectively.
Tipperary have named three Championship debutants for their Munster Hurling Championship quarter-final with Limerick in Semple Stadium.
Cathal Barrett, James Barry and Niall O'Meara start for the first time in the Championship.
There is one change from the Allianz Hurling League final with Gearoid Ryan coming in at half-forward in place of Denis Maher.
Tipperary team to play Limerick: Darren Gleeson, Cathal Barrett, Padraic Maher, Michael Cahill, James Barry, Brendan Maher, Conor O'Mahony, Kieran Bergin, James Woodlock, Gearoid Ryan, Patrick Maher, John O'Dwyer, Noel McGrath, Seamus Callanan, Niall O'Meara.
Quite rightly Leinster and Glasgow contest the Pro12 final at the RDS today.
Over the course of the season they were without question the two best sides. If either had been upset in the tournament's semi-final play-offs it would have deprived the competition of the final it merited.
Although, the chance to see Brian O'Driscoll do battle with Munster one last time, in his final outing for Leinster, was a tantalizing prospect that never quite materialised.
Leinster topped the table in the regular season and they were largely convincing for the majority of the campaign. However, in the Heineken Cup the wheels came off the wagon against Toulon in their quarter-final clash on French soil.
Matt O'Connor's team lacked many things that day; line speed, creativity, quick decision-making and efficiency with the ball.
And Toulon took advantage of all of that to dominate the breakdown and flood the tackle 1-3 positions on the fringes of the rucks with bodies that created space for the outside men to do damage.
This is the template on how to beat Leinster and it is likely the one that Glasgow will use. Gregor Townsend's team play a very similar style to the European champions, using physical force and aggression from their pack as the method to gain ground and velocity in attack before spinning to the danger men who are to be found in space following the exertions of their pack.
The key question is whether Glasgow have the capability to do the same kind of damage that Toulon did to Leinster? It's unlikely that the Scottish side will be able to exert the same level of control and physical dominance, they don't have the personnel to achieve that one would imagine. However, if they get a good platform early on and get the upper hand at the set piece, Leinster will struggle to find their rhythm.
Both XVs have respective strengths. Leinster should have an advantage in the front row where internationals Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross line out. Gordon Reid and Jon Welsh as the pillars for Glasgow will have their work cut out for them.
However, in the second row the superb pairing of Jonny Gray and Ali Kellock will trouble Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy.
The back rows appear evenly matched with Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip clashing with Robert Harley, Chris Fusaro and Josh Strauss. This will be a fascinating battle area and there is little to pick from the two units. Although the experience and industry of Heaslip will be invaluable, especially when it comes to negating Harley's effectiveness in stealing ball at the breakdown.
All in all, the packs are hard to separate in terms of quality on the whole.
In the backline, instinct would say that Leinster have the edge. Eoin Reddan and Chris Cusiter play similar games at scrum-half, with the speed and accuracy of their passing games the key to their success. At ten Jimmy Gopperth is the steady hand on the tiller for Leinster, while Finn Russell offers more creativity for Glasgow. Expect to see Ian Madigan introduced in the second period to supply some magic to unlock the Glasgow defence. He could play yet another starring role as a substitute.
The tried and trusted centre pairing of Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll play their last ever game in professional rugby together today. And Peter Horne and Alex Dunbar are faced with the task of breaking their defensive solidity while also using their power to break the line. They may do it at points in the game, but given that this is O'Driscoll's last waltz it's hard to imagine he will not do everything in his power to turn on the skills he is famous for one last time, particularly his peerless defensive work.
And in the back three, Leinster again should have the slight edge. Tommy Seymour, Sean Maitland and Peter Murchie have offered much going forward this season, but Zane Kirchner, Fergus McFadden and Rob Kearney have been some of the best back three players in the competition. Dave Kearney will be missed, but they still have the ideas and gas to cause Glasgow serious damage if the men inside them give them the possession and space to do so.
There's unlikely to be more than two scores between the sides in this one, and as alluded to earlier, the impact Madigan has as a replacement could prove crucial.
However, if Leinster can marry the solidity they have shown of late in the pack, with a creativity that has been somewhat lacking, you would have to imagine they can grind Glasgow down and deprive them of the possession they need to do damage.
Martin O'Neill's Ireland have scored five goals in his four games in charge
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Martin O'Neill has challenged his Republic of Ireland players to prove they can score even against the strongest teams.
Ireland face Italy at Craven Cottage today before meeting Costa Rica and Portugal in the United States next month with goals having been at a premium in recent games.
LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane, will join up with the party in America, but in the meantime, O'Neill is looking to the rest of the squad for much-needed firepower.
The 62-year-old manager said: "The idea for us now in these next couple of matches is to prepare as best we can. Let's take them on, let's go and create the chances, there's no reason why we shouldn't do.
"But again, putting the ball in the net is something that's been a problem here for quite some considerable time."
In the nine games the Republic have played to date this season, they have scored just nine goals with Keane contributing three of them.
Five have come in O'Neill's four games at the helm, although a 3-0 victory over lowly Latvia in his first game skews that figure somewhat, and both finishing and the creation of chances have been significant points of focus in training this week.
The Ulsterman said: "We did a lot of shooting yesterday, a lot of practise at that. But I have seen this before, I have been a long, long time in the game.
"A shooting session on a Thursday afternoon where players are hitting the target on a constant basis is very, very good practice. It's a different thing when you are playing in the game.
"But we have been trying to do as much as we possibly can to rectify it.
"It's not just the shooting element, it's keeping the ball alive; it's players getting in front of opposition players when it's in the penalty area; when wide men have got the ball, taking players on; it's making sure we have got across the front post to keep things alive.
"Now the person at the front post might not score the goal, but he disturbs defenders. Those type of things are the things we have been working on."
O'Neill is making no apologies for choosing such tough opposition for Ireland's summer programme, and although he was happy with his side's performance in a 2-1 home defeat by Turkey on Sunday, he knows they will have to raise their standards once again if they are to prosper against the Brazil-bound Italians.
He said: "It's a great game at any stage of the season, but now just with Italy preparing for the World Cup, it's a great opportunity for us to play against what you would call really top-class players."
Goalkeeper David Forde is likely to return in goal with Rob Elliot, who made his debut against the Turks, having left the camp for his wedding, but striker Anthony Stokes will miss out with a calf problem.
Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked out fifth seed Petra Kvitova
There were differing fortunes for two former French Open champions in Paris on Saturday.
Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked out fifth seed Petra Kvitova to reach the fourth round but Ana Ivanovic was beaten by Lucie Safarova.
Ivanovic has been having her best season since winning the title in Paris in 2008 but had lost her previous four matches against left-hander Safarova.
It was the same story on Saturday as the Czech won 6-3 6-3 to reach the fourth round at a grand slam for the first time in seven years.
Ivanovic had been seen as one of the favourites to reach the final from the bottom half of the draw and she was hugely disappointed with her performance.
She said: "My clay-court season was really good. I was very happy about that.
"Everyone was talking about seeds coming out, but not in my part (of the draw). I had a really tough opponent today. I lost to her a lot of times before. So I knew she was going to be dangerous opponent.
"I'm very disappointed about my loss today. It's hard to tell what can happen but definitely this loss is tough."
Safarova, who held match point against eventual Australian Open champion Li Na in the third round in Melbourne in January, next plays 2009 Paris champion Kuznetsova.
Kuznetsova and Kvitova was a meeting of two former grand slam champions and it took three hours and 13 minutes to separate them, the Russian winning 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 9-7.
After winning the opening set on a tie-break, Kvitova was hampered by a right thigh problem for which she twice received treatment off court.
The Czech produced some excellent tennis, particularly when she was behind in the decider, but she will feel this was an opportunity missed after twice serving for the match.
Kuznetsova gave Serena Williams a fright in the quarter-finals last year and is always a dangerous player on clay. The 27th seed said: "I knew I was going to go out there, and I was going to give everything I could and run every mile, every metre I could, and put as many balls back, try to be aggressive.
"Petra was inside the court and I was next to the fans. But I just tried my best. I was very strong mentally and I'm really happy with that.
"I feel really good. I feel really excited, happy. I really feel almost like Rafa out there."
Fourth seed Simona Halep continued her swift progress through the draw with a 6-3 6-0 victory over Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor.
The Romanian is the only one of the top five seeds still in and the second favourite for the title behind Maria Sharapova despite only having reached one grand slam quarter-final.
The 22-year-old should face her first real test in the next round against 15th seed Sloane Stephens, who is once again showing her best form in the grand slams.
Stephens is through to the second week at a sixth consecutive grand slam after defeating big-hitting Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-4.
Stephens and Halep have met three times before, with the American having won the last two.
Halep, who is reading Harry Potter to help improve her English, did not expect to be the highest seed left at this stage of the tournament.
She said: "The first three seeds, they lost. That's a surprise for everyone.
"It's not easy to be the first seeded now in the tournament. But I try just to keep out from me the pressure and just to play every match.
"I played against (Stephens) in Australia a few years ago and she beat me very fast. Now I think I'm more prepared than that moment."
Sixth seed Jelena Jankovic will meet 10th seed Sara Errani after both raced through their third-round matches.
Jankovic defeated Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-1 6-2 while Errani, the runner-up in 2012, dropped just one game against Israel's Julia Glushko.
Northern Ireland put in a brave performance against Uruguay
Doncaster defender Luke McCullough gave Northern Ireland hope for the future with a highly promising debut against Uruguay on Friday night.
The 20-year-old was promoted to Michael O'Neill's senior squad for the first time for the tour of South America despite playing just 15 times last season for a Doncaster side that was relegated from the SkyBet Championship.
And, with fellow centre-backs Jonny Evans, Gareth McAuley, Alex Bruce and Craig Cathcart all absent from the trip, he found himself thrust into the starting XI in the 1-0 defeat, lining up against Paris St Germain's Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan.
The former Manchester United trainee performed with unexpected maturity in Montevideo's packed Estadio Centenario, despite being unable to prevent Christian Stuani winning it for the hosts.
Manager Michael O'Neill was full of praise for the new recruit, one of three debutants on the night alongside substitutes Paul Paton and Ryan McLaughlin.
"We were asking a boy to do a man's job in front of 60,000 people against a team who are highly fancied to do well at the World Cup," he said.
"He played as if he'd played in that situation throughout his career and he hasn't, he's played about a dozen times for Doncaster.
"Against that level of opposition - Cavani and Forlan - he was fantastic. A couple of the older lads, Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes, were fantastic in beside him and Roy Carroll behind him, but it really was a high level performance.
"Luke is very good positionally, has good self assurance and uses he ball well."
Captain Steven Davis was equally complimentary, making a point of congratulating his team-mate at full-time.
"I was delighted with Luke. I went to see him after the game and said 'well done on a great debut'," added the Southampton midfielder.
"It will give Michael something to think about in the future if he can put in performances like that in the future."
McCullough will face a tough task dislodging seasoned heads like Evans, McAuley and Hughes when all are fit and available, particularly if he is playing his trade in the third tier, but he has got the feel for international football and does not want to let it go.
"That's the biggest crowd and the best atmosphere I've been part of. it gives you the bug for it, big time," said the former Manchester United trainee.
"It definitely gives you a taste for more.
"Now that I've won my first cap I'm hoping it's the first of many. I want to be a regular international.
"The lads beside me, Chris and Aaron, are both quite senior and there's a lot of caps there so they talked me through the game and helped me along.
"We had a game plan to try and get a result and it worked for a long time."
Australia's breeding suggests that he should improve considerably on his fine fine third in the 2000 Guineas when he steps up to a mile and a half in the Derby
Aidan O'Brien is wary about the prospect of soft ground at Epsom next Saturday for Investec Derby favourite Australia.
The Galileo colt has been all the rage for the premier Classic since his close-up third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 3 May.
However, Australia has not yet been tested in demanding conditions, with his trainer hoping the recent wet spell quickly recedes.
O'Brien said: "We wouldn't like the ground to be soft.
"He's a beautiful moving horse, everybody saw the class he showed at Newmarket.
"Obviously soft ground wouldn't be ideal, but we'll have to wait and see and hope it's not."
O'Brien confirmed at the 'Breakfast with the Stars' morning at the Surrey venue on Thursday that Australia may be accompanied by Geoffrey Chaucer, Kingfisher and Orchestra.
Joseph O'Brien, the trainer's son, is set to partner Australia, while Ryan Moore, who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas last weekend aboard the stable's Marvellous, is poised to get the leg-up on Geoffrey Chaucer.
The latter has this week been well backed in the Derby market after rumours circulated of the colt having beaten Australia in a gallop at Ballydoyle.
O'Brien said: "I don't know where these (rumours) come from.
"They have obviously always been on different work regimes and both had different races last time.
"I don't know where it came from. I didn't see it if it was, maybe it happened, but I didn't see it."
Frankie Dettori admitted at Epsom on Thursday that he was on the lookout for a ride in the Derby.
When asked if he would consider the Italian, O'Brien said: "It would be very hard to get any better than Frankie.
"Everyone knows how good he is, he's a special man."
Connections of Arod warned that the improving colt will not run in the Derby if the ground went soft.
The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained inmate made up lots of late ground at York on just his third career start to finish second in the Dante.
Jockey Jamie Spencer issued a slight advisory, however, in that Arod needs a sound surface to be fully effective.
The jockey said: "It looks like Arod is going to run in the Derby.
"He's a high-class horse and is lightly raced.
"He needs fast ground, so watch this space."
Those thoughts were echoed by Arod's owner, Sheikh Fahad, who said: "He needs good ground. Good to soft maybe, but not worse."
Michael Stoute, by contrast, would be unfazed if the ground was testing for Snow Sky.
The Khalid Abdullah-owned colt excelled in the Lingfield Derby Trial on 10 May and is already proven in demanding conditions.
The Freemason Lodge handler said: "He's entitled to go (for the Derby) after his Lingfield performance, we're hopeful.
"It's still a long time away and Epsom drains very well.
"He won on soft ground at Salisbury and I'm not concerned about ground conditions."
Romsdal will work at Newmarket on Friday to determine whether or not he will be supplemented for the Derby.
Beaten just a nose by Orchestra in the Chester Vase, the Princess Haya of Jordan-owned colt could instead run at Royal Ascot.
Trainer John Gosden said: "He'll work in Newmarket and see what the owners want to do.
"He's in the King Edward at Royal Ascot, so it's up to them."
Stablemate Western Hymn, who defeated Snow Sky in April and subsequently won Sandown's Classic Trial, is very much on course for Epsom after he enjoyed a nice workout under William Buick.
He said: "Western Hymn enjoyed coming here today.
"He handled the hill, switched his legs very well and his head carriage is better."
Kingston Hill gained plenty of admiring glances from work-watchers as last season's Racing Post Trophy winner pulled a couple of lengths clear of two lead-horses in a 10-furlong stretch.
Roger Varian's colt finished eighth in the 2000 Guineas but has always been considered more suitable for the Derby.
Jockey Andrea Atzeni said: "He went really nicely. He travelled good and quickened up well.
"He handled the ground - it's pretty soft out there - but I was very pleased with him.
"We didn't go mad, we went a bit quicker down the hill as we wanted to see how he went round the bend.
"He pricked his ears when he got to the front, he always does that."
Andrew Balding worked Impulsive Moment, runner-up to Western Hymn at Sandown, in the hands of David Probert, who will have his first Derby ride.
The Kingsclere handler is set to have a second contender in Scotland, a well-beaten third in the Chester Vase but always held in some regard.
Robbie Henshaw has been mentioned as a possible successor to Brian O'Driscoll in the Irish 13 jersey
Connacht's Robbie Henshaw has been withdrawn from Ireland's tour to Argentina due to a hand ligament injury.
Henshaw sustained the injury earlier in the season but it had not limited his ability to train or play, according to an IRFU statement.
He exacerbated the injury in training this week and received further specialist advice that recommended surgical repair of the damaged ligaments should not be delayed further.
The 20-year-old has been widely tipped to succeed the retired O'Driscoll in Ireland's midfield, but will now miss out on the first chance to stake a claim for the vacant 13 shirt.
Ulster's Darren Cave will now be favourite to start at outside centre for Ireland's Tests against Argentina on 7 June in Resistencia and 14 June in Tucuman.
Ireland are yet to name a replacement for Henshaw, but losing the much-vaunted youngster will be a blow to head coach Joe Schmidt.
Former Leinster boss Schmidt will have viewed the summer tour as the ideal vehicle for blooding the next generation of centres as Ireland start the long build-up to the 2015 World Cup.
O'Driscoll retired from international rugby after his 141st Test match when Ireland edged out France in Paris to claim the RBS 6 Nations title.
The 35-year-old will bow out of professional rugby altogether in Saturday's Pro12 final when Leinster take on Glasgow in Dublin.
O'Driscoll has tipped Henshaw and Cave to lead the charge to replace him for Ireland's World Cup bid, but now Schmidt must do without his leading contender for the summer tour.
Katie Taylor is looking to win a sixth successive European title
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Katie Taylor has improved since her London 2012 success, according to her father and coach Peter.
The Olympic, World and European champion will attempt to capture a record sixth consecutive European title in the tournament set to begin this weekend in Bucharest.
Peter Taylor spoke to RTÉ Sport about his daughter's recent preparation heading into her upcoming bouts.
"We have improved in the last month with more physical work than what we normally do," Peter Taylor said.
"She's lifting a lot heavier weights, and hopefully it'll come to fruition through this tournament."
Peter Taylor noted that Katie's speed, which he called her "greatest asset", had improved since her gold medal performance in the 2012 London Games.
"I think she's improved since the Olympic Games, by four or five percent, which is huge at this level."
"I think they were shocked that a girl can do what she did" - Peter Taylor on Katie's recent sparring opponents
During a recent training session in Germany, Katie Taylor sparred with French and Korean male number ones, and Peter Taylor was pleased with his daughter's performances.
"She did great against them, and I was really pleased with the spars. I think they were shocked that a girl can do what she did," he said.
These sessions, along with three fights that took place over three days in Cork and Waterford last month, have helped the Taylors hone in on areas which need more attention.
"[They mean] we know for the last three or four weeks what to work on and what we're not doing right, and we'll improve a little bit technically," Peter Taylor said.
Despite the added pressure that her success brings, Peter Taylor was confident that his daughter will continue to excel.
"She loves being number one in the world... She's really looking forward to boxing. She can't wait to get in the ring."
Dublin captain John McCaffrey lifts the Bob O'Keeffe Cup in 2013
By James McMahon
The hurling summer of 2013 produced many memorable moments.
A compilation would surely include Dublin winning the Leinster title for the first time since 1961; that success came after the Dubs got the better of Kilkenny in a replay, a sure sign that change was in the air.
Since Galway's victory in 2012, the quest for the Bob O'Keeffe Cup has become a more engrossing affair than ever. The bookies have Kilkenny as favourites to regain their crown, but the margin is less than it would have been in previous years.
This year's competition began on the last weekend in April. A round-robin format featuring Antrim, Carlow, Laois, London and Westmeath was played off over consecutive weeks. The end of it all saw Antrim and Laois head the standings and with it secure progression to this weekend's quarter-finals
O'Moore Park in Portlaoise is the venue on Sunday as Antrim square up to Wexford, while in a repeat of last year's pairing at the same stage, Laois host Galway.
The remaining quarter-final also sees a consecutive championship meeting with Kilkenny and Offaly renewing their rivalry before the Sky Sports cameras in Nowlan Park on 7 June.
As the reigning champions, Dublin enter the fray at the semi-final stage. Antrim or Wexford will provide the opposition on 14 June. The other last-four clash sees either Laois or Galway take on the winners from the Kilkenny v Offaly clash on 22 June.
The Leinster final is scheduled for 6 July. An All-Ireland semi-final date awaits the winner on 10 August. The loser plays in the All-Ireland quarter-final on 27 July.
DUBLIN
2011 saw Anthony Daly's troops win the Division 1 league title. Later that year, they ran Tipperary close in the All-Ireland semi-final. 2012 began with much hope. However, relegation from the league's top flight and championship defeats to Kilkenny and Clare made for a bleak year.
Daly opted to remain at the helm and the first sign that the revival mission was gathering momentum came about after Dublin won promotion from Division 1B on 6 April 2013.
Aside from the 70 minutes of "constipated hurling" against Wexford, the summer that followed brought about a rich dividend that could easily have seen Daly's charges contest an All-Ireland final.
They are capable of going that extra step. The word from the experts is that they may need to find another marquee forward, but all told the determination will be there to build on the great deeds of last year.
They should have enough to ensure that they'll be one of the pairings in the provincial final on the first Sunday in July.
KILKENNY
It's three years now since the Cats last reigned supreme in Leinster. And while their championship odyssey ended in the month of July last season, they nevertheless contributed handsomely to a glorious campaign.
Brian Cody gave some new faces a chance to lay claim to the black and amber jersey during the league in his desire to freshen things up. Of the newcomers Padraig Walsh, a brother of Tommy, took his chance.
Cillian Buckley has shown in versatility with some commanding displays at wing-back, while up front Colin Fennelly has been the thorn in the side of most defences.
A potential semi-final against Galway will be a worthwhile test. Unlike last year, the Cats need to show real intent early on. Failure to grace Croke Park for a consecutive year is almost unthinkable.
GALWAY
2013 was a write-off for Galway. Their struggle in seeing past Laois in the Leinster semi was a foretaste of what was to come as they let Dublin call the tune for nearly all of the subsequent decider.
Next Sunday they square off again against 'Cheddar' Plunkett's outfit. If they are serious about making a real impression in the months ahead, then Galway have to comfortably see past the challenge of the midlanders. The expected last-four clash with the Cats could be a cracker.
Joe Canning is still the star attraction, though the performances of Ronan and Daithi Burke in defence during the league were duly noted by many observers.
On the debit side is the injury to Niall Healy. Damage to his cruciate ligament rules him out for the rest of the season.
On their day, Anthony Cunningham's side are capable of beating anybody. If they capture the form that saw them blitz the Cats in the 2012 final, then they will be hard to beat.
What of the rest?
Wexford are making progress under Liam Dunne. A potential semi-final clash with Dublin on their own patch is where they could cause a surprise, according to some commentators.
They won't, however, want to put the cart before the horse and will tread warily when facing Antrim this weekend. The Saffrons have matches under their belt and that momentum should ensure that the contest is competitive.
Laois hurling has found its voice again under Seamus Plunkett and will look to make life difficult for Galway again.
Brian Whelehan has endured a tough start to life as Offaly manager. In his days as a player the Faithful legend played on teams that were known for their fighting spirit and their collective ethos. Similar traits will be required ahead of a daunting trip to Nowlan Park.
VERDICT:
The likelihood is it will come down to a three-horse race. As mentioned above, I expect Dublin to reach the decider. Galway will improve on last year, but It may not be enough to edge past Kilkenny in the last four.
The Cats may then have enough to see past the Dubs in the decider.
Roy Keane is due to appear at a FAI press conference this evening
By Seán Folan
Roy Keane faces renewed questions as speculation mounts that he is likely to become Celtic manager in the coming days.
Keane is due to attend an Ireland press conference after Martin O'Neill's squad train at Aviva Stadium this evening ahead of the friendly against Italy in London on Saturday.
It is believed that Keane's position will be clarified at the media briefing.
Neil Lennon stood down as Celtic manager last week and a host of names have been mentioned as his replacement in the Parkhead hot-seat. However, 42-year-old Keane is now an odds-on favourite for the vacant post ahead of former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay and one-time Ireland international Owen Coyle.
Former Celtic great Henrik Larsson had been tipped for the job but the Swede ruled himself out of the running.
Keane had a stint playing with the Hoops between 2005 and 2006 after leaving Manchester United.
Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Brian O'Driscoll at Leinster training this weekBrian O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen depart this week - but Leinster are in good hands says Bernard Jackman
By Bernard Jackman
Saturday at the RDS is a brilliant opportunity for Leinster to do what everyone knows they can do: find what Shane Jennings called "that extra gear".
Over the season, critics have been hard on head coach Matt O'Connor and the style of rugby that Leinster are playing, but I think that he is being judged too harshly.
Taking over from Joe Schmidt was an incredibly tough assignment. The New Zealander's time at the province was so successful it was always going to be difficult to carry on winning European trophies, especially in a competition that has actually gotten stronger.
The Heineken Cup finalists – Toulon and Clermont last year, Toulon and Saracens this year - show that the big spending teams are starting to become harder to beat.
Leinster still finished top of the RaboDirect PRO12 with an impressive 82 points and also qualified from a Heineken Cup group that contained the best team in Wales (Ospreys), the French champions (Castres), and the English finalists (Northampton).
Given the strength of that group, its was always going to be a huge ask to get the home quarter-final that we know statistically is so important. Leinster then had the misfortune to be drawn against Toulon at the Stade Mayol, a stadium where the champions have never lost in Europe.
They also had to handle the fact they had a host of top players away with the Lions – the likes of Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney are backing up after a very intense summer.
O'Connor needs time to mould Leinster
O'Connor also came into this job without being able to bring in his own staff, something most Directors of Rugby like to do.
He also inherited a squad going through transition. Leinster had just lost two more key players in Isa Nacewa and Johnny Sexton. Leo Cullen and Brian O'Driscoll were coming into their last seasons after brilliant careers for the province.
Nacewa was 'Mr Consistency', and his influence on and off the field was probably more important than some of Leinster's Irish internationals simply because he was there all year round.
And what about Sexton? Leinster have not been as slick in their attack as they are capable of being, but they have lost one of the most respected and best paid players in the world. He manages the game brilliantly and creates space and opportunities for other players through attacking the gain line flat and the quality of his passing. His drive and leadership are also exceptional.
Jimmy Gopperth and Ian Madigan have both being trying to replace him without a drop in the overall team performances, but like O'Connor's, that is a virtually impossible task.
Looking to the future, I am very impressed by the signing of Kane Douglas for next season: he is a quality player and has a very good age and injury profile. His aggression and athleticism should give them the impact that they probably hoped to get from Quinn Roux.
Another positive for Leinster next year is that O'Connor will go into this preseason knowing his squad inside out and they also will have had a year working under him and they will be a lot more comfortable with his systems and philosophies.
Strength at the RDS a positive for Leinster
Looking at this weekend's game, Leinster's home record at the RDS is very impressive; the last time they were beaten there being March 2013 by Ulster. Their overall record in this competition is also incredible – since winning it for the first time in 2008 they have been in five consecutive Grand Finals and they are the holders.
But Glasgow will bring confidence from their narrow losses to Leinster in the Pro12 semi-finals last year and the year before, and the league meeting a couple of months ago when they ran Leinster very close before losing 28-25.
They also have had no distractions over the last while having being knocked out of the Heineken Cup at the quarter-final stage by Toulon. In recent years they have played the Rabo Pro12 final relatively soon after being in European action which is tolling physically and mentally; not so this year.
And they have continued to improve this season under the tutelage of the Gregor Townsend, who has shown himself to be an excellent coach.
They have actually won more games than any other team in the league this season with 18 wins and while we all remember Townsend for his off-the-cuff brilliance, his side have a real focus on their defensive responsibilities (an area overseen by Australian defence coach Matt Taylor).
They are also very disciplined in terms of their kicking game and have a capacity to dominate territorially.
Unlike Edinburgh, who have a lot of project players, the squad is composed primarily of Scottish players, with foreign players filling in areas of weakness.
The formula seems to be working and it was great to see a full house in Glasgow for their semi-final win over Munster. The hope is that they will continue to boost the professional game in Scotland.
Glasgow: team culture and precise gameplan
As regards playing personnel, this Glasgow squad lacks the star quality and reputations of Leinster one but they have a really solid culture of hard work and they play for each other and the jersey. When you combine that with a very precise gameplan it will take you a long way in rugby.
It is disappointing to see Stuart Hogg left out of the match squad by their coaches as he is a gifted player. But it seems that his head has been turned by some other clubs despite having a year left on his contract with the Scottish Union, and Glasgow feel that his attitude isn't where it needs to be.
But they have other talented players, not least the young out-half Finn Russell, and their forward pack is capable of going toe-to-toe with the Leinster eight.
Could they upset Leinster?
While I expect Glasgow to be very competitive I think that Leinster have a better bench and more players with the experience of and mentality to win these big games, even when they aren't firing on all cylinders.
O'Driscoll and Cullen both deserve big send-offs as they retire and I think the players and the home crowd will make it a celebratory finish.
Olivier Giroud said Arsenal's playing philosophy made adapting to face bigger teams difficult
Striker Olivier Giroud has said a lack of maturity meant Arsenal "cracked" as the Barclays Premier League title race started to heat up.
The Gunners spent 128 days at the Premier League summit this season but they lost top spot with a 5-1 hammering at Anfield in early February and never regained it.
Arsene Wenger's side eventually finished fourth, although they went on to win the FA Cup, and Giroud believes a number of issues contributed to their league campaign unravelling.
"We were on top for a good half of the season and then we cracked," he told French newspaper Midi-Libre.
"I believe we lacked maturity and that we had a lot of injuries at an important time.
"Above all we weren't able to adapt to the big teams.
"We have to show progress in these matches, to maybe play less football, but it's difficult because it's our playing philosophy."
"I still have two years on my contract but we are in negotiations to extend it" - Olivier Giroud
Giroud, who scored two goals in France's 4-0 win over Norway on Tuesday, finished his second season in England with 16 league goals and feels comfortable enough to already be looking to extend his current deal with the Gunners.
"I feel at ease in the league. I've had a not bad first season and a second that was mainly good. I hope to do even better," he added.
"I'm progressing from year to year, in the image of the team that plays a polished game.
"I still have two years on my contract but we are in negotiations to extend it."
David Forde with goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh in training in Malahide
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David Forde has set his sights on a remarkable double as he prepares to lock horns with Italy once again.
The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper is hoping to win a 17th senior cap against Italy at Craven Cottage on Saturday three years after making a first start for his country against the same opposition.
That night in Liege, Belgium, a much-changed Ireland side captained by Hull defender Paul McShane beat a team including Giorgio Chiellini, Riccardo Montolivo, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Giuseppe Rossi and Giampaolo Pazzini 2-0 with goals from Keith Andrews and Simon Cox.
Italy gained their revenge when they confirmed the Republic's swift departure from the Euro 2012 finals with a 2-0 win in Poznan, but Forde retains happy memories of his full debut and is hoping for a repeat.
He said: "I am certainly looking forward to it. I made my first start for Ireland against Italy away in Liege, so I have a lot of fond memories there.
"If we had another one of those nights, I'd be delighted. It was a bizarre night, it was a fantastic night.
"You know, we are a good underdog and I am sure we will put in a good performance on Saturday."
"We are a good underdog and I am sure we will put in a good performance on Saturday"
Manager Martin O'Neill has been pleased with recent performances despite results not quite going his way. Sunday's 2-1 friendly defeat by Turkey at the Aviva Stadium was Ireland's second in succession, and O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane's record to date includes just one victory in four games.
While that does not cause the manager undue concern - he believes but for sub-standard finishing and good goalkeeping, his side would have beaten both Serbia and the Turks - a return to winning ways before the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in September would be more than welcome.
Forde said: "It's not nice being beaten and we want to start winning games and turning them around.
"The last couple of games now, we have come in and said we should have taken our chances and we should have been comfortable in games where we have left the door open and allowed teams in, and you get punished at this level.
"It's disappointing, but there are still a lot of positives there and the main target and the main aim is Georgia in September."
Addressing that recent record in their remaining summer fixtures could prove challenging, with World Cup finalists Costa Rica and Portugal awaiting Ireland in the United States after their clash with the Italians, who are also Brazil-bound
However, far from being daunted by what lies ahead, Forde is relishing the chance to test himself against one of European football's traditional powers this weekend.
He said: "Yes, I think it could be a busy night. They are a fantastic outfit. They are going to be chomping at the bit, they will want to be at it."
Forde is likely to return to the starting line-up at Craven Cottage having sat on the bench on Sunday evening as Rob Elliot made his senior international debut, and the chance to go head-to-head with Gianluigi Buffon, the latest incumbent in a dynasty of fine Italian keepers, is one to which he is looking forward immensely.
He said: "Sometimes it's not nice to watch games, but you get a different perspective and it just gives you that bit between your teeth and a bit of hunger, and I'm looking forward now to a good game on Saturday against Italy.
"As a professional footballer, you want to play games, that's what you are in it for. I'd love to be back in and playing.
"Buffon is probably the best keeper in the world currently. They have always come up with top, top keepers.
"But I am looking forward to the challenge of playing against one of the best keepers in the world on Saturday."
Novak Djokovic serves to France's Jeremy Chardy during their French tennis Open second round match
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer eased into the third round of the French Open with comprehensive straight-set wins at Roland Garros.
The clay court showpiece is the only grand slam to have eluded Djokovic so far in his career but he looked in ferocious form as he blew away Jeremy Chardy in just an hour and 31 minutes, 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Chardy held serve in his opening game but when he dropped the fourth, the world number two never looked back.
Djokovic was demonstrating all of his trademark athleticism to make it hard for his opponent but Chardy was not helping himself with unforced errors and the Serbian closed out the set in just 25 minutes.
FULL RESULTS
Djokovic broke Chardy in the first game of the second but the Frenchman broke right back before dropping his serve again with a double fault to hand the initiative back to his opponent.
The rest of the set went with serve and Djokovic never looked overly troubled as he appeared to be going through the motions.
Djokovic made it five from five on break point in the opening game of the third and looked set to steamroller his way to victory but he handed Chardy a second serve as he attempted to break back and the world number 42 took advantage with a crushing forehand.
The run of breaks continued as Djokovic took the next and he was well in control despite letting out an almighty cry of frustration when sending a backhand into the net.
Djokovic dropped his first two break points of the match in the next but made no mistake with the third, a backhand pass securing a 4-1 lead and ending Chardy's resistance.
The remaining games went with serve as the rain began to fall on Court Philippe Chatrier and Djokovic eased into the next round.
Federer restored order with his 60th victory at the French Open to reach the third round.
When Federer and Argentina's Diego Sebastian Schwartzman took to Court Suzanne Lenglen, the crowd were still reeling from Serena Williams' shock exit at the hands of Garbine Muguruza.
Coupled with Federer's countryman Stan Wawrinka and his fellow Australian Open champion Li Na both losing in the first round, there was no doubt the tennis world had been rocked significantly off its axis.
Schwartzman, a qualifier playing in the main draw of a grand slam for the first time, hinted at more drama to come when he broke the Federer serve in the third game but the 17-time grand slam champion hit back swiftly to win 6-3 6-4 6-4.
From 2-1 down, Federer won four games in a row and a single break of serve in the second and third sets proved enough, although 21-year-old Schwartzman played a very good match.
In the third round Federer will play 31st seed Dmitry Tursunov, who beat American Sam Querrey 6-4 7-5 6-1.
Serena Williams was out of form at Rolland GarrosVenus Williams has made it past the second round at a Grand Slam only once in the past three seasons
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A third-round clash between Venus and Serena William will not happen after both were knocked out of the French Open in the second round.
World number one and defending champion Serena Williams suffered a 6-2 6-2 defeat against Spain's Garbine Muguruza, shortly after Venus was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-4 by Slovakia's Anna Schmiedlova.
17-times grand slam champion Serena never got into her stride against the 20-year-old world number 35.
Serena Williams had not been knocked out of a grand slam before the fourth round since losing in the first round of the 2012 French Open.
Muguruza's pace was too much to handle for Williams, and she will now face Schmiedlova in a third round encounter that few would have predicted.
"Of course it's amazing, I did not expect that. Today is a great day"
"Of course it's amazing, I did not expect that. Today is a great day," said Muguruza.
"I'm very happy," she then shouted at the crowd.
Williams failed to hold serve in the second set, which confirmed the impression of the opener, during which Muguruza sent the American chasing the ball in every corner.
Williams bowed out after 64 minutes having never looked in a position to unsettle Muguruza, whose best result in a grand slam was at this year's Australian Open when she reached the fourth round.
"Nothing actually worked, I just can't serve," said Williams with a smile. "It was one of those days, you can't be on (your game) every day."
Williams refused to blame her defeat on the windy conditions on yet another chilly day in Paris, a city she has a special relationship with.
She has a French coach in Patrick Mouratoglou, owns an apartment in Paris and loves to shop in the French capital, which she considers her second home.
"It's not easy. I love it here, but there's always next year. At least I won't have any points to defend next year, so I look forward to it," she said.
Until then, she will be back to training, harder than ever.
"It's great, because I'm going to go home and work five times as hard to make sure I never lose again," she said. "I want to win and I want to be the best, that's my whole goal.
"But it's great sometimes to get knocked down because you have to get back up. I love getting back up. I love the challenge.
"I haven't gotten past the fourth round of a grand slam this year," added Williams, whose last grand slam title was at Roland Garros last year. "I have a couple of words to describe it, but I think that would be really inappropriate so I'm going to leave it at that."
Italian Stefano Pirazzi won the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday as the top guns stayed quiet following Tuesday's chaotic ride.
Pirazzi prevailed at the end of a 208km trek from Sarnonico, beating breakaway companion Tim Wellens of Belgium and Australian Jay McCarthy to hand his Bardiani team their third win of this year's Giro.
Overall leaders Nairo Quintana, who took over from fellow Colombian Rigoberto Uran in controversial circumstances on Tuesday, finished safe in the pack 15:36 behind the winner.
He still leads Uran by 1:41 with Australian Cadel Evans in third place overall, 3:21 off the pace.
On Tuesday, Quintana seized the lead by winning the stage after breaking clear in a descent which some teams thought had been neutralised by organisers because of bad weather conditions.
Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil fans will be celebrating on 13 July
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Rivals Brazil and Argentina are set to meet in the World Cup final in July, with the host country winning the title for a record sixth time, US investment bank Goldman Sachs has predicted.
Goldman sees a 48.5% probability that Brazil will win the 13 July final, with Argentina and Germany the next most likely teams to succeed with a 14.1 per cent and 11.4 per cent chance respectively.
The predictions were based on a statistical model that analysed about 14,000 competitive international matches since 1960.
"Of course, it is hardly surprising that the most successful team in football history is favoured to win a World Cup at home," the Goldman report, written by Chief Economist Jan Hatzius, Sven Jari Stehn and Donnie Millar, said.
"But the extent of the Brazilian advantage in our model is nevertheless striking."
"The extent of the Brazilian advantage in our model is nevertheless striking"
South American teams have won all four previous World Cup tournaments held on the continent.
Goldman's predicted a 3-1 victory for Brazil would add to the decades of rivalry with neighbouring Argentina, who have won the World Cup twice previously.
Brazil are predicted to reach the final after overcoming the Netherlands, Uruguay and Germany in each of the knockout phases, while Argentina is forecast to beat Ecuador, Portugal and Spain.
Goldman's model though is not foolproof.
Using data ahead of the 2010 World Cup, it had predicted Brazil, with a 26.6 per cent chance, would win in South Africa. They crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Eventual winners Spain, however, were second favourites with a 15.7 per cent probability of winning.
Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal gave Vicente del Bosque's side a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final and their first World Cup title.
Shane Lowry is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite a whirlwind 48 hours which saw the Offaly man finish runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship and also seal his place in the US Open after winning yesterday's qualifying event at Walton Heath.
Instead of sitting on his laurels after turning around what had been a disappointing season up until the weekend's exploits, having only made three cuts in nine starts prior to the BMW at Wentworth, the 27-year-old is heading straight to the Scandinavian Masters rather than taking his foot off the gas.
"I need to keep going, keep playing in tournaments. I could easily have qualified today and gone home tonight happy and taken two weeks off until the US Open," Lowry told RTÉ Sport.
"I probably would have done that in the past, but I'm going on to Sweden this week with my game in good shape and feeling really confident and I'm looking to contend."
Lowry carded an eight-under par overall score in heavy wind and rain at Walton Heath Golf Club – hitting a round of 69 on the new course and 67 on the old course – to guarantee his spot at Pinehurst on 12–15 June.
He admitted to fatigue after coming into the qualifier just hours after completing a tough but ultimately highly rewarding week at Wentworth.
"It was tough enough I suppose because I was in contention for most of the week in Wentworth and to play a week like that on such a tough golf course and contend and try and win," said the former Irish Open champion.
"Then you've got to go and play 36 holes on the Monday which is tough, but I'm playing well."
Despite having to battle against the elements, Lowry said he was confident he would do well and turn the conditions to his advantage.
"I'm pretty tired and pretty wet, the weather was really horrific out there," he said.
"I quite fancied my chances going out there today, and when I saw the weather wasn't great I knew it would kind of taken a lot of lads out of the running.
"So I just went out there and did my own thing and tried to get through and thankfully I did."
"I really believe I can go over there and contend for a Major championship." - Shane Lowry
Lowry is excited at the prospect of playing in the Major and believes he can and should impress in Pinehurst, and for the rest of the season.
He added: "I'm not thinking for one minute that I'm just going to go over there and make up the numbers.
"I really believe I can go over there and contend for a Major championship. I'll hopefully be in The Open a few weeks after that and I've got the Irish Open in between.
"I've got the USPGA coming up not long after that too."
As for making a late push for a spot in Paul McGinley's Ryder Cup squad at Gleneagles in September, Lowry said he is just focusing on his own game in tournaments for the time being.
The Offaly man concluded: "I just need to keep playing golf. I have got a great schedule now right through to August.
"I'm not actually thinking about the Ryder Cup but if I can have a few decent finishes, I'm in some very big tournaments coming up, you never know."
John O'Shea training with his Republic of Ireland team-mates in Malahide
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John O'Shea has promised the Republic of Ireland will help to soothe Richard Keogh's play-off final heartache.
O'Shea's international team-mate found himself a key figure in a dramatic conclusion to Saturday's multi-million Sky Bet Championship showdown between Derby and QPR with Barclays Premier League football at stake.
It was Keogh's late error which handed Bobby Zamora the chance to fire 10-man Rangers into the top flight after the Rams had dominated at Wembley.
He, Jeff Hendrick and Conor Sammon are due to meet up with the Ireland squad, as is QPR striker Kevin Doyle, ahead of Saturday's friendly against Italy at Craven Cottage, and O'Shea will put an arm around his fellow defender.
He said: "Richard will get over it. He's a fantastic player - he's probably been one of Derby's best players, if not the best player, this season.
"It's just one of those things in football. His disappointment was clear to see for everyone, and if he comes into the squad, it will be great if we see him because we will pick him up.
"I know Richard, the type of lad he is. He's a fantastic player and a fantastic fella as well, so he will get over it and come back bigger and better and stronger."
"He's probably been one of Derby's best players, if not the best player, this season"
Rangers' were forced to fight a desperate rearguard action after Gary O'Neil's sending off for a cynical challenge, and they were indebted to another Irishman, Richard Dunne.
The 34-year-old turned in the kind of performance he has done so often for his country over the years to keep Derby at bay and remind international boss Martin O'Neill of his enduring quality.
Dunne made himself unavailable for the Republic's end-of-season friendlies, but O'Shea has few doubts about what he still has to offer.
He said: "You have no need to tell me that, I have played alongside Richard long enough to know what a quality player he is.
"He had his magnet hat on again. Everything was just directed to him and he was in the right position, experience, cleared it all away.
"Especially when they went down to 10 men, he was a vital player for them.
"It's hugely disappointing for the Derby lads, the Irish lads especially, because we know how hard they worked and how well the have played all this season too. To come down to that is gutting for them.
"But obviously for Kevin and Richard, it's pleasing for them."
Sunderland defender O'Shea, 33, could play his 50th game of the season against the Italians before heading off for a well-earned rest after being excused Ireland's trip to the United States to meet Costa Rica and Portugal, and he admits he is ready for a break
Asked how his body was holding out, he said: "Fine, not too bad at all.
"Obviously when the season finished against Swansea, I literally had a few days off and then had a few days on a coaching course and them meeting up with the squad, so there has not really been too much time to have a rest yet.
"But it's not too far away. We are nearly there, nearly there."
Kevin Ryan talks to his Antrim players after the win over Laois
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Antrim hurling manager Kevin Ryan has issued another strong criticism of the new preliminary round-robin series in this year's Leinster Championship.
The Ulster side, along with Laois, Carlow, Westmeath and London, have taken part in a five-week series of games that began on the 27 April.
The Saffrons have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Hurling Championship with Wexford this weekend thanks to a number of wins including surprising Seamus Plunkett's Laois last Sunday.
Ryan believes the new structure will do nothing to develop the standard of hurling in the developing counties.
He told RTÉ Sport: "It's a very tough schedule of four weeks in-a-row and then going into a Leinster quarter-final.
"There is no benefit whatsoever, except probably a bit of momentum from last Sunday. If people had seen that game, if you put the same crowd that was in Thurles (for Cork v Waterford) and the same fanfare around it, it was a very hard, tough and fast game with some great scores in it.
"There are a lot of tired bodies. I think it's a disgrace being honest. It doesn't really give you a chance to prepare for a Leinster quarter-final.
"The only thing we have is momentum in that we've got through some battles and tried to train through it.
"We would have been training hard enough over the last three games and tried to freshen up for Laois. We are lucky we haven't picked up any serious injuries but you have a lot of knocks and bodies trying to recover."
"It's like you want to get those teams out of the way"
Antrim will target a shock win over the Model County despite their fatigue but even if they progress past them, a semi-final with Dublin will follow on 14 June, just two weeks later.
Ryan continued: "It's like you want to get those teams out of the way.
"The round-robin is designed to get teams out of Liam MacCarthy which they are doing a team each year over the next two years. That's all it is designed for. Ask any of the counties involved if they want to play that. Absolutely not.
"There is Carlow out of championship hurling in the middle of May. How in any manner of means is that doing good for promoting hurling in Carlow? I think it's disgraceful."
John Joe Nevin has recommenced upper-body training
By Padraic Ryan
John Joe Nevin is making a remarkable recovery from the attack that left him with two broken legs, and may return to the ring before the end of the year, according to his coach.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Brian McKeown said Nevin's response to his injury has been "terrific."
"I'm delighted with his reaction," McKeown said. "I'm delighted with his weight, and with his recovery."
The Olympic silver-medallist was attacked on 5 April in Mullingar and suffered horrific injuries.
He has already returned to training, though McKeown said this was limited to core work and was concentrated on upper-body, defence, flexibility and reflexes. Mobility was still a problem, McKeown said.
He said that Nevin would start power-walking in about two weeks' time if he was given the medical all-clear, and that this would come before he started running.
Nevin's US promoters, Greenblood, had mentioned a possible fight in September, McKeown said, but he cautioned that they would get the 24-year-old running before a decision was taken on his readiness for a full return.
"We will progress at our own pace, and we'll decide when he's ready," he said.
McKeown mooted the possibility of an initial return later in the year for Nevin, perhaps with a couple of low-key bouts in November, before he stepped up to the level that was expected of him.
He praised Nevin's reaction to the brutal assault, saying that he had been concerned he would be psychologically affected by it, but that Nevin had made a great response.
"It's been a team effort, and if we all do our job right he'll be back sooner rather than later."
Caroline Wozniacki returns a shot during her French Open match against Yanina WickmayerLi Na stretches to return a shot against Kristina Mladenovic during their first-round French Open match
Caroline Wozniacki's return to tennis and the public eye after her breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy ended in more pain on Tuesday when the 13th seed was knocked out in the French Open first round by Yanina Wickmayer.
The Belgian won a high-quality baseline battle 7-6(5) 4-6 6-2, condemning Wozniacki to her first opening-round defeat at Roland Garros since her debut in 2007.
The players swapped serve breaks in the first set, and the advantage swung one way and then the other in the tiebreak before the Belgian ended a superb rally with a backhand crosscourt winner.
Wozniacki, 23, wasted five break points in the sixth game of the second set but remained alive with the score at 5-4 when Wickmayer, serving to stay in the set, netted a simple forehand to bring the Dane level.
But Wickmayer, going for her shots, bounced back immediately by breaking Wozniacki in the first game of the final set and again in the fifth.
The Dane broke back thanks to a lucky net cord and a fine drop shot, but Wickmayer, ranked 64th in the world, was now clearly on top and sealed the victory on her first match point after Wozniacki netted.
McIlroy, like Wozniacki a former world No.1 in his sport, said he called off their engagement after getting cold feet while sorting out their wedding invitations.
The Northern Irishman told the world of his pain at the breakup on the eve of last week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, but he went on to win the European Tour's flagship event.
Li Na, the Australian Open champion, followed Wozniacki out of the French Open in the first round when she lost 7-5 3-6 6-1 to local favourite KristinaMladenovic.
"It's incredible, without you I couldn't have done it"
The second seed from China, who won at Roland Garros in 2011, never hit her stride on court Suzanne Lenglen on another chilly day in Paris.
Once dubbed the next big thing of French women's tennis, Mladenovic saved two set points in the opener, lost focus in the second but stepped up a gear again in the decider to wrap it up on her second match point.
"It's incredible, without you I couldn't have done it," a weeping Mladenovic told the cheering crowd.
Simona Halep, seeded fourth, narrowly missed inflicting the first "double bagel" of the tournament after serving for the match when leading Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 6-0 5-0.
But the Romanian lost concentration and gave up two games before winning on her first match point. The diminutive Halep won the juniors' title at Roland Garros in 2008, and her power and accuracy from the baseline will trouble all but the best here.
She was the most improved player on the women's tour in 2013 after winning six WTA titles, and she carried her form into the new year, reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm, the older stateswoman of the WTA Tour at 43, saved four match points but still went down 6-3 0-6 6-2 to 24th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Svetlana Kuznetsova, the Russian 27th seed and 2009 French Open champion, eased through 6-3 6-1 against Georgia's Sofia Shapatava. Romanian 26th seed Sorana Cirstea beat Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak 6-7(3) 7-5 6-2.
Brendan Rodgers has penned a long-term deal with Liverpool
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a new long-term deal with the club.
The news comes following a season where Rodgers guided the Reds to a second-place finish in Premier League and with it a return to Champions League football.
It is believed the deal is four years, which will keep him as manager of the side until 2018.
Principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner today jointly said: "We are very fortunate to have a hugely talented individual leading our football performance and in whom we place our trust to deliver the vision we share for Liverpool Football Club.
"Brendan is at the heart of what we, as an ownership group, are trying to achieve on the pitch.
"This season has reaffirmed everyone's belief that we can bring football success to Liverpool and we are all committed to working together to achieve that.
"Players and supporters have made it clear how important Brendan is to our success and so to have him commit to us for the long term is a great boost for everyone going forward."
Rodgers himself commented on the deal, saying: "I am both humbled and privileged to be offered the chance to extend my stay at this great club.
"I am very happy to build on the foundations we have built over the last two years and now we move onto the next phase which I believe will be as exciting, challenging and rewarding.
"I would like to place on record my thanks to the players and staff, who have been absolutely brilliant for me since the day I started at this great football club.
"I am grateful to our owners and senior management team who have supported me and who share my vision of how we can progress on the field.
"Finally, I must thank the supporters who are at the heart of everything we do here.
"I am honoured every day to lead this team and I thank the fans for their continued support as together we strive to bring success back to Liverpool Football Club."
Steffon Armitage has been judged to be the best player in Europe
Steffon Armitage of Heineken Cup champions Toulon has been named ERC European Player of the Year 2014.
The dynamic 28-year-old back row was a key figure in Toulon's second Heineken Cup triumph in a row and not surprisingly was the number-one ranked player in the tournament statistics for turnovers won with a total of 19. He also featured in the top ten in the carries, tackles and defenders beaten categories.
Armitage was presented with a specially struck gold medal by ERC chief executive Derek McGrath.
"This is a great honour, and with us winning another Heineken Cup as well, everything has come together at the right time," Armitage said.
"There are a lot of big names at Toulon, but we're like one big family and without my team-mates, this individual award wouldn't have been possible. Also, to follow in the footsteps of Jonny Wilkinson as a winner is really special."
Armitage is now included in a list of illustrious players who have won the highest individual accolade in northern hemisphere rugby.
Wilkinson, who captained Toulon to success at the Millennium Stadium, was last year's winner and previously the award went to Leinster's Rob Kearney in 2012, Leinster's Sean O'Brien in 2011 and to Munster's Ronan O'Gara who was the inaugural recipient in 2010 as the best player over the first 15 years of ERC's two tournaments.
The task of deciding on the leading player of the European season from the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup was undertaken by an expert panel which comprised: Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Mick Cleary (Daily Telegraph rugby correspondent), Marc Duzan (Midi Olympique), Emile Ntamack (three-time Heineken Cup winner) and Gerry Thornley (Irish Times rugby correspondent).
Donegal battled back to earn a deserved victory on Foyleside
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After some upheaval in the camp and a league campaign that didn't finish all that well, despite promotion to the top tier, many felt Donegal footballers were vulnerable as they faced up to Derry in the Ulster quarter-final on Sunday.
However, a strong opening in the second-half, highlighted by Leo McLoone's goal, saw Jim McGuinness' side clear the tricky hurdle at Celtic Park on a 1-11 to 0-11 scoreline.
Next up for McGuinness' troops is a semi-final date with either Fermanagh or Antrim on 22 June. To most observers that assignment should not present too much difficulty, but McGuinness is adamant that his focus will only be on the next game and not on a potential Ulster final appearance.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the victory over Derry, the Donegal boss said: "The Ulster Championship is a massive competition in this part of the world. In terms of our preparation for that competition we always do the exact same thing year in, year out, that is take it one game at a time.
"The day you don't do that is the day you're beat."
"We'll be faced with a lot of challenges, physical and tactical and everything else. We have to try and meet those challenges and if we do that we'll progress to the final.
"That's the way it has always been and that's the way it always will be in Ulster. That's where our focus will lie. It's a dangerous thing to get too far ahead of yourself and we won't be doing that."
Brian McIver: 'I would like some of [the decisions] explained to me from the GAA authorities'
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Derry manager Brian McIver was unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions as his side exited the Ulster Football Championship at the hands of Donegal.
The Oak Leaf County led a half-time and ran Jim McGuinness' men to within a goal, 1-11 to 0-11, but McIver was not pleased with the performance of referee Joe McQuillan.
A failure to award a free to Derry's Gareth McKinless, which was followed by a Donegal score, and a late black card for James Kielt were among the incidents which annoyed the Derry boss.
Asked about the referee's performance after the game, McIver told RTÉ Sport: "Let's put it like this, I would like some of [the decisions] explained to me from the GAA authorities but that's not likely to happen.
"At the minute I better do nothing about it because it wouldn't be a good idea for me to go near anybody."
He added: "We knew coming in here today we were facing the 2012 All-Ireland champions, a good side and we knew we were going to have to play really, really well. To be fair, I thought over a great percentage of the game we did that.
"Just that crucial ten minutes after half-time, we didn't turn up for the second half, Donegal got the crucial scores that proved the difference."
"At the minute I better do nothing about it because it wouldn't be a good idea for me to go near anybody"
On the other side of the fence, McGuinness felt that his decision to switch Michael Murphy to full-forward paid dividends and looked forward to a semi-final meeting with either Fermanagh or Antrim on 22 June.
"Derry obviously have a certain style of play, possession football, and we felt we had to deal with that in the first half," said the 2012 All-Ireland-winning manager.
"In the second half we put Michael to the edge of the square and it worked well. We got the runners off it and got a couple of scores off the back of it so we're delighted with that.
"The most important thing is we're in the Ulster semi-final and that's what our focus was coming into the game and we'll focus on that now for the next number of weeks."
Shane Lowry: 'I felt like I hit some great shots coming in but obviously to hole the putt on the last and finish second on my own is really nice'
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Although he let a final-round three-shot lead slip at Wentworth, Shane Lowry was comforted by a very valuable putt on the last hole.
The Offalyman sunk a 50-foot effort on the last green to claim an outright second-place finish at the BMW PGA, just a single shot behind winner Rory McIlroy.
The result saw the 27-year-old jump up from 142nd to 74th in the world rankings, as well as earning him points on the European Tour and Ryder Cup tables, where he moved to 19th.
"I feel very unlucky," Lowry said after his round after allowing McIlroy to make up a seven-shot deficit on the last day.
"I felt like I hit some great shots coming in but obviously to hole the putt on the last and finish second on my own is really nice. It's after giving me a lot of world ranking points and a lot of Race to Dubai points as well."
Novak Djokovic kicked off his bid for a maiden French Open win with a first-round victory against Joao Sousa.
The French is the only grand slam that does not sit in Djokovic's trophy cabinet and he has been widely tipped to amend that over the coming weeks - largely due to Rafael Nadal's recent failures on the red surface.
Sousa did little to stop him in this one, with Djokovic winning 6-1 6-2 6-4 - as easily as he did when the two met at the US Open last year.
There was enough to suggest that Djokovic may not be as good a bet as had been claimed, though, with a number of loose shots and concentration lapses likely to be noted by the Nadal camp.
That Djokovic stopped chasing balls down in the third set will be of particular concern to him and coach Boris Becker, with the match going on for far longer than it should have done.
Galway's Paul Varley evades the attention London's Stephen Curran
The attacking triumvirate of Shane Walsh, Michael Martin and Danny Cummins were on song as Galway overwhelmed London by 3-17 to 0-07 in the Connacht quarter-final in Ruislip.
Martin's third-minute goal set Galway on their way and Martin, Walsh and Cummins all chipped in with impressive points as the visitors led 1-09 to 0-02 at half-time - London goalkeeper Adrian Faherty pointed two injury-time frees.
London battled admirably into the wind in the second half, but further goals from Walsh and Cummins completed the rout.
Richard Dunne in action during the Championship play-off
By Seán Folan at Wembley
Richard Dunne has sent out a message to Martin O'Neill that he remains eager to play for Ireland after returning to the Premier League with a man-of-the-match performance in QPR's 1-0 Championship play-off victory over Derby at Wembley.
Dunne elected to opt out of Ireland's end of season friendlies, a four-game run that starts with today's clash against Turkey at the Aviva.
However, after a stirring display for a 10-man QPR side that echoed his heroics at the heart of the Ireland defence in Moscow against Russia in 2011, Dunne told RTÉ Sport: "I'll be available after the summer.
"I'd love to be included in September [when Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifiers begin away to Georgia], I'd love to play again.
"We'll just see how it goes over the summer and see what the manager decides.
"I spoke to Martin O'Neill before the Serbia friendly in March and we had a chat, so he knows the situation."
"Forty nine games now I've played this season – it feels more like 100 at the moment" - Richard Dunne
Dunne has had a torrid time with injuries since togging out in the Ireland jersey in the ill-fated Euro 2012 finals, after which he missed the whole of the 2012/13 season in what proved to be his final year at Villa, before joining QPR last summer.
And at the end of a successful season with QPR, 34-year-old Dunne felt the friendlies were a few games too many.
"Basically I needed a rest," he said. "Ireland play until 10 June and after a year out I've played 49 games, which personally I think is a good achievement, and another four games would be too much."
The Dubliner admitted there were dark times during his 15 months on the sidelines, but he never considered hanging up his boots after 17 years as a professional.
He left Home Farm as a schoolboy and signed his first professional contract at Everton in 1997.
"I didn't play from the end of the Euros in 2012 until the start of this season. It was a long time but I never thought at packing it in. I always had the belief I'd be back," he said.
"I was constantly told by the physios at Villa that I'd be alright eventually, and it worked out."
The 1-0 victory over Derby and regaining his and QPR's place back at the top table in English football proved to be a fairytale ending for Dunne and his team-mates after the Hoops had gone down to 10-men when Gary O'Neill was red-carded on the hour with the Rams in the ascendancy.
But as the clock ran down, it was Derby skipper Richard Keogh, who has filled Dunne's boots the centre of the Ireland defence, who mis-controlled in the goal area to let Bobby Zamora pounce and blast home the goal worth in an estimated £120million to the London club – probably the most valuable goal in football.
An elated and exhausted Dunne said: "Forty nine games now I've played this season – it feels more like 100 at the moment.
"The last 15 minutes we played to get into extra-time. It was a case of hanging in there and then Bobby pops up to score at the death, which was fantastic."
As for next season, Dunne said he has no doubts he can do still a job in the Premier League for QPR and is excited at the prospect of playing once again on the big stage at the likes of Old Trafford and Anfield.
"I'm looking forward to it. I've definitely still got it in the legs," he said. "Playing at the top grounds is something to look forward to. I'm sure the club will strengthen in the summer but everyone in the dressing-room wants to be part of it.
"Next season is where all the glory is and everyone wants to test themselves."
As well as being roared on the thousands of QPR fans, Dunne said it was extra-special that six members of his family, including his parents and niece, had flown over from Dublin and he revealed that he'd gained extra inspiration from his children in the lead up to the decider.
Dunne recounted that at the team meeting on the eve of the big game, the club had arranged for the families of the players to send good luck messages: "I got a nice surprise; my kids [daughter Lila (8) and son Tayo (5)] sent a video good luck message. It put everything in perspective. It was nice, a really good touch."
Cirrus Des Aigles has developed a cult following in France
Cirrus Des Aigles turned in a masterclass from the front to record a remarkable 12th win at Longchamp
in the Prix d'Ispahan.
The Group One race was billed as virtually a match between Corine Barande-Barbe's stable star and Olympic Glory, but Richard Hannon's recent Lockinge Stakes winner could finish only fourth under Frankie Dettori.
Cirrus Des Aigles, who had defeated Arc winner Treve on his last start, made almost every yard of the running in the hands of Christophe Soumillon in his 17th start at the Parisian track.
The eight-year-old was pressed by the revitalised Anodin, but Soumillon had far too much class beneath him and eased home inside the final 100 yards.
Pollyana finished third.
Olympic Glory, who seem unable to run to his form around a turn, was hard at work a couple of furlongs from home on his first try over nine furlongs and folded meekly late on.
Cirrus Des Aigles has now amassed almost €7million in prize money, more than any other horse in the history of European racing.
Rigoberto Uran has extended his lead in the maglia rosa
Italian Fabio Aru won the 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday as overall leader Rigoberto Uran extended his lead over Cadel Evans to just over a minute after another demanding day in the mountains.
Astana rider Aru, who now is fourth overall and a credible contender, attacked in the last part of the final climb of a 225km trek from Valdengo and beat Fabio Andres Duarte by 21 seconds while fellow Colombian and pre-race favourite Nairo Quintana finished third one second further back.
Colombian Uran, who struggled a bit on Saturday, suffered again but took fifth place and still extended his lead over second-placed Australian Evans, the 2011 Tour de France champion, from 32 seconds to 1:03.
Poland's Rafal Majka stayed third 1:50 off the pace with Aru and Quintana 2:24 and 2:40 off the pace respectively.
Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, one of the attackers on Saturday, could not sustain the pace in the finale and dropped to sixth overall.
The peloton is having a rest day on Monday before going through four more mountain stages, including an individual time trial, ahead of next Sunday's final, flat ride to Trieste.
Davide Ballerini roars in celebration as he crosses the line
Davide Ballerini of the Italian Team Idea has taken victory on the final stage of this year's An Post Ras.
He attacked the lead break of seven riders with just over 10km to go and finished 38 seconds ahead of second-placed Daniel Klemme (Azerbaijan Synergy Baku) and third-placed Pierrick Naud (Canadian National Team).
Clemens Fankhauser (Austria Tirol Cycling) finishes at the front of the peloton and is crowned the 2014 An Post Ras champion.
