Gordon D’Arcy’s European notes, Wolves beat Man United again

In his column this morning Gordon D'Arcy reflects on last weekend's Champions Cup action, and mainly Leinster's win over Ulster at the Aviva Stadium. Ulster's heroic performance in a 21-18 defeat was partly founded on former Leinster players, including Jordi Murphy and Marty Moore. Yesterday it was confirmed another of Leinster's Ireland internationals, Jack McGrath, is heading north to Belfast for next season. And D'Arcy writes that while the free movement of players between the provinces might suit Ireland, it isn't necessarily fair on Leinster or beneficial for the other provinces in the long term. He writes: "Still, the logic of increased movement was apparent for all to see at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. We saw why Kieran Treadwell, recruited from England, was sent to Belfast. We all now understand why John Cooney stopped competing with Kieran Marmion in Connacht. . . I understand the logic, but we can't go on like this forever. Ulster, Munster and Connacht need to produce their own specialist talent." And D'Arcy also defends winger Jacob Stockdale after he grabbed the headlines for failing to finish what could have been a crucial second half score for the visitors: "It went badly against him but there is credit in the bank from brilliant tries against Scarlets and Racing. He will rapidly move on and so should everyone else."

Manchester United's top four hopes took a huge blow last night as they were beaten 2-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers - their second defeat at Molineux in the space of 17 days. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side took the lead through Scott McTominay but were unable to capitalise on their early dominance, with Diogo Jota equalising after 25 minutes. Ashley Young was sent off early in the second half before Chris Smalling's own goal gave Wolves all three points, as the visitors were left to rue costly individual errors. In the night's other game, Fulham's relegation to the Championship was confirmed after a 4-1 defeat to Watford. Tonight sees a new era begin for Tottenham Hotspur as they play the first competitive fixture at their new stadium against Crystal Palace, while Manchester City can return to the top with victory against Cardiff City at home. Chelsea also welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile in La Liga Lionel Messi inspired a late Barcelona comeback at Villarreal, with league leaders earning a 4-4 draw despite trailing 4-2 after 90 minutes.

Elsewhere in his column this morning Seán Moran reflects on the hurling and football league campaigns, after Limerick and Mayo won their respective top flight titles in Croke Park on Sunday. And he suggests Mayo's Division One final success against Kerry could prove to be the springboard for a successful summer. He writes: "And the victory has seriously positive precedent. In James Horan's first year back he has won the league. The only other managers to achieve that in the past 20 seasons are Jim Gavin, Jack O'Connor (including in 2009, as with Horan, the first year of a second stint) and Mickey Harte - ie the most successful managers of the modern era."

And Sport Ireland will appear before appear before the Oireachtas committee on Sport, Transport and Tourism today to say the FAI is yet to sufficiently explain the circumstances surrounding the €100,000 loan John Delaney made to the organisation in 2017. Delaney, who will face the same committee next Wednesday, yesterday said increased workload in recent years prompted his switch to the newly created role of FAI executive vice-president after a 14-year spell as chief executive. "It really was impossible for one person to do the three jobs," he said.