The Morning Sports Briefing

Rugby: Ireland in good health

Jamie Heaslip, Seán O’Brien and Jared Payne all took some part in an intense 90-minute work-out with the Irish team at Kingspan Stadium on Thursday, leaving only Johnny Sexton as a concern for next week's trek to Cardiff.

Both O’Brien and Payne sat out the contact based drills as they continue to follow the return-to-play protocols but the duo are expected to return to training next week. As is Heaslip who was involved in fitness drills and also in the end-of-session training match against members of the Ulster Academy. He’s expected to be “ready to go” next week.

Sexton though remains a doubt with a hamstring concern, in Liam Toland's column this morning he's been looking at how Ireland’s kicking game has become a vital weapon in the team's armoury - and he'scomparing our style to that of the southern hemisphere teams.

Soccer: National league

With the League of Ireland season beginning tonight it's Cabinteely’s debut in the first division which might just be about the most intriguing of the games. They face Wexford Youths as the League of Ireland comes to Stradbrook, and club chairman Pearse Toale says there'll be a few surprise in store.

Meanwhile in the Premier League Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse has accepted a Football Association charge for allegedly spitting at Manchester United's Jonny Evans and faces a possible seven-match ban.

The FA though are also taking action against Evans for his part in the altercation although he denies spitting back at Cisse.

Golf: McIlroy survives the monster

The Blue Monster course lived up to its billing yesterday as world number one Rory McIlroy took 40 shots over his opening nine holes.

Fortunately though after an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys in his closing six holes, McIlroy was content to arrive safely with no further collateral damage.

Shane Lowry also hit an eagle on his way to an opening 71, one under, with a five-wood approach from 233 yards to 10 feet, he sank the putt.

JB Holmes leads after an astonishing round of 62, 10-under-par. “You’re joking,” was Lowry’s response to that score.

GAA: Under 21

Kildare beat Offaly 3-12 to 0-9 in last night's Leinster Under 21 championship with senior player Niall Kelly pulling the strings.

Kildare senior manager Jason Ryan has been under pressure as his side sit at the foot of the Division Two table, yet he sees the positives in the team having conceded just one goal in the past four games, and despite having a litany of injuries, being in total control for well over three-quarters of their opening two games. Consistency is what's missing he says, but it's cup half full as far as he's concerned.

Meanwhile a number of teams have been named ahead of this weekend's manic schedule of hurling and football Allianz League games. Amongst the news from them is Barry John Keane getting his well-earned start for Kerry, Danny Kirby making his league debut at midfield for Mayo, and Eoin Cadogan being named at midfield of all places for the Cork footballers. That'll be an interesting experiment.

Cricket: Playing the conditions

Irish coach Phil Simmons believes his team has the jump on Zimbabwe ahead of Saturday's vital encounter.

Simmons, a former Zimbabwe coach himself, feels the colder Tasmanian weather expected for the game will stand to the Irish team - no shortage of experience in that regard.

What to watch out for:

Ian O'Riordan will have the latest from the start of the European indoor championships in Prague later today, where Ireland's twelve competing athletes are led by 800 metres medal contender Mark English.

The League of Ireland kicks of tonight with three premier division games, champions Dundalk among the six teams in action.

There's World Cup cricket action from Ireland's pool where West Indies and India are facing off as we speak. That's likely to run into the early afternoon, and from an Irish perspective a big win for India would be the desired result.

Sky Sports 2

The Cadillac Championship continues in Miami later this evening, Rory McIlroy will be looking to turn things around after a dismal enough start in the first round yesterday.

Sky Sports 4, from 6pm to 11pm

In the Pro12 tonight Connacht go in search of what would be a crucial win away to Cardiff.

TG4 from 7.10pm