The Morning Sports Briefing

O’Connell to sign for Toulon

After nearly 14 long years of services which have yielded 173 caps, 19 tries, two Heineken Cups, four Celtic Leagues and an incalculable amount of blood and sweat, the stage is set for Paul O’Connell to pull on the red of Munster for the last time in Saturday’s Pro 12 final against Glasgow.

The 35-year-old is set to sign for three-in-a-row European champions Toulon and will join them after the World Cup for the remainder of the 2015/16 season and the entirety of the 2016/17 campaign, writes Gerry Thornley.

Also set to bow out for Munster this weekend, but unlikely to receive the same fanfare as the big number five, is Andrew Smith, who has been an integral part of everything good Anthony Foley's side have done this season.

An experimental Ireland side were beaten 22-21 by the Barbarians at Thomond Park last night in a fixture which had the potential to blot the copybook of a number of World Cup hopefuls.

The Baa Baas tried to throw the ball around with the zest of old but sodden conditions made for a very scrappy affair in Limerick, with Ireland's high missed-tackle count likely to frustrate coach Joe Schmidt.

Nightmare first day for Rory

Rory McIlroy has done wonders for this week's Irish Open, attracting a cast of stellar names to Royal County Down, however in yesterday's opening round the world number one forgot to turn up himself.

McIlroy posted an 80, including a string of four back-to-back bogeys from 15 to 18, which leaves him nine over par and 13 shots off the lead of Padraig Harrington.

Three-time Major winner Harrington produced a dogged but well crafted 67 to share the overnight lead with German Maximilian Kieffer, one of just 13 sub-par scores posted throughout a difficult day.

Meanwhile Michael Hoey was pleased with his first round efforts - the 36-year-old thrives when playing links golf and he posted a tidy round of 71 yesterday.

Blatter on course for election victory

Elsewhere the Fifa circus continues with the organisation going ahead with their annual meeting and leadership elections today, this despite the arrests of senior officials on Wednesday morning and the subsequent fallout.

Current president of Fifa Sepp Blatter has been urged by many to stand down, including pleas from the head of Uefa Michel Platini, however the Swiss remains on course to secure his fifth four-year term today, writes Emmet Malone.

Chief executive of the FAI John Delaney has admitted a Blatter victory in Zurich today is likely, however his rival in the election, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, still has the chance of a surprise victory.

The second round of the FAI Cup gets underway tonight, with Shelbourne travelling to Oriel Park looking to upset League of Ireland champions Dundalk and St Pat's welcoming Shamrock Rovers.

Difficult to sustain progression with emerging counties

Seamus Plunkett's departure at Laois manager yesterday serves as a reminder of the difficulties faced by those charged with the task of sustaining progression in emerging counties, writes Sean Moran.

Meanwhile Tipperary footballers have welcomed back Ireland International Rules player Ciaran McDonald after a hip injury kept him out of the league campaign.

Dublin hurling boss Ger Cunningham believes his side have no room for error when they take on Galway at Croke Park on Sunday.

What to watch out for:

Golf

The Irish Open continues today. Leader Padraig Harrington is out at 7.30am, Shane Lowry at 8am, Graeme McDowell at 12.50pm and world number one Rory McIlroy at 1pm. Sky Sports 4 and RTE 1, 12pm onwards.

Rugby

Johnny Sexton will be looking to guide Racing Metro to a Parisian derby win over Stade Francais in the Top 14 play-offs tonight. Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm.

Cricket

The first day of the second Test match between England and New Zealand at Headingley begins this morning. Sky Sports 2 from 10.30pm.

Tennis

More French Open action from Roland Garros, including Roger Federer’s third round tie against Damir Dzumhur. Eurosport 9.30am-8.35pm, ITV 4 9.30am-9pm and Setanta 10am-8pm.