Liverpool eyeing another comeback; Outline plan for return of club rugby

Liverpool must deliver the perfect performance to overcome Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final second leg tonight. Jürgen Klopp's team require another European recovery to salvage hopes of a third Champions League final in four seasons after last week's 3-1 defeat in Spain: "We cannot just take comebacks for granted," says the Premier league champions' manager. "Especially not without a crowd in the stadium." Last night Chelsea booked their place in the semi-finals despite a 1-0 defeat to Porto, while PSG went through on away goals after losing to reigning champions Bayern Munich by the same scoreline. Northern Ireland qualified for their first major finals as they reached the Women's Euro 2022 with a 2-0 playoff second leg victory over Ukraine.

In his column this morning (Subscriber Only) Gordon D'Arcy says Béibhinn Parsons is the gift, IRFU must now do the giving: "the tipping point has yet to arrive, but it is no secret that professionalism has to be where female rugby ends up." The return of club rugby will involve a non-contact element after a long lay off for the players. The outline plan would be to potentially return to provincial competition in August, a much earlier start to the season, before moving on to any All-Ireland Leagues. It is contingent upon medical advice and Government permission. Warren Gatland announced his Lions coaching ticket on Tuesday, and his squad - set to be announced on May 6th - is likely to have a greater spread than four years ago.

In his column this morning Sean Moran explains how the DRA has been saving the GAA a lot of money for 16 years and counting. The Disputes Resolution Authority was established 16 years ago this week and intended to prevent the taking of High Court injunctions to put a stay on suspensions: "Those who sit in on the hearings, two lawyers and an experienced GAA volunteer get nothing in return except the guarantee that they won't be knocking off early. I can't think of a hearing that didn't last until the early hours of the morning." The draws for the GAA's 2021 provincial football and hurling championships will take place next Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Grand National victor Rachael Blackmore was back among the winners at Fairyhouse on Tuesday as she steered Somptueux to glory for Henry de Bromhead. Somptueux's victory means Blackmore is now nine winners adrift of the currently-sidelined Paul Townend in the race for the Irish jockey's title.