The Morning Sports Briefing

Slim chance for Munster

Paul O’Connell, Munster’s old warhorse who has seen and done it all on the continent, has admitted the province’s chances of progression from Pool One of the European Champions Cup are ‘probably slim’.

Munster must beat Saracens away on Saturday to have any chance of making it through to the knock out stages, and with O’Connell as yet undecided on whether he will continue playing after the World Cup this could be his final chance to go deep in club rugby’s premier competition.

Ahead of Munster's day of reckoning, O'Connell spoke to Gerry Thornley.

Leinster won’t appeal McGrath

Leinster face a battle of their own if they want to make it out of their pool, and if they want to qualify they will have to do so without prop Jack McGrath after it was decided they wouldn't appeal his three-week ban handed down for stamping on Ulster’s Rory Best.

The decision leaves Leinster decidedly light on numbers in the frontrow for their remaining European fixtures, but an unsuccessful appeal could have resulted in the ban being increased.

Aki out for Exeter

Connacht face Exeter at the Sportsground on Sunday as they push for Challenge Cup quarter final qualification, but will be without centre Bundee Aki who limped off during last Friday's 16-12 defeat to Edinburgh in Galway.

However coach Pat Lam is confident the New Zealander, who has formed a potent midfield partnership with Robbie Henshaw, will be available again when Connacht return to Pro 12 action in February.

Long puts Saints through

An instinctive first half finish from Shane Long gave Southampton a 1-0 win over Championship high flyers Ipswich at Portman Road last night and saw the Saints progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Spurs escape scare

Elsewhere Tottenham Hotspur recovered from conceding two early goals to cruise through to the fourth round, beating Burnley 4-2 in their third round replay at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from an eclectic cast of Paulinho, Capoue, Chiriches and Rose.

GPA face funding problems

Chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association Dessie Farrell has said the organisation are facing "serious funding challenges", as they head towards the end of a five-year partnership deal with the GAA and look to negotiate a new one against the backdrop of an increasing demand on player welfare services.

O’Grady excited for another year

With all the talk of burnout in the GAA and how a number of players, particularly senior ones, are struggling to meet increasing demands, Donal O'Grady is proving to be an exception to the rule.

The 34-year-old is gearing up for another year on the Limerick senior hurling team, having been reappointed captain for 2015, and he is relishing the prospect of his 12th consecutive season.

Un De Sceaux ready for Leopardstown

Willie Mullins has revealed there is a "good possibility" he will unleash Un De Sceaux at the highest level for the first time in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.

Slattery’s log

Justin Slattery reports from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing as he and his crew see their hard work go to waste as they get bogged down in the Volvo Ocean Race.