Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Heartbreak for Portlaoise after late missed opportunity, French clubs line up as Madigan assesses and what to watch out for

Portlaoise’s Paul Cahillane misses a free during the final moments of the Leinster club final. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

Mon Dec 7 2015 - 08:30

GAA: Club championships

Ballyboden St Enda's continued Dublin's grip of the Leinster club championship yesterday with a one-point win over Portlaoise - to make it five years out of six that the provincial title has been held in the capital.

This game though was as much about Portlaoise’s agony as Ballyboden’s ecstasy - as the Laois champion’s star forward Paul Cahillane missed a free from in front of the posts to level proceedings in the closing minutes - and so it wasn’t to be Portlaoise’s day, as has now been the case for three of the last four finals.

While in the women's All-Ireland club final Donaghmoyne of Monaghan edged Cork champions Mourneabbey 0-11 to 0-8. Donaghmoyne's Linda Martin had a dream game between the posts, continuing her excellent season for club and county.

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Soccer: Premier League

Across the pond in England and Liverpool's impressive run was brought to a halt by a clinical Newcastle side in St James' Park. Jurgen Klopp's team were exposed on the counter, much the same as they had done themselves of late against Manchester City and Chelsea. A Martin Skrtel own goal should have been cancelled out by a wrongly disallowed Alberto Moreno effort - but instead it was Newcastle who found the target once more late on through Wijnaldum. Tonight Everton take on Crystal Palace hoping they can continue their fine form, while the draw for the FA Cup third round is also today.

Meanwhile Manchester United will sit down with manager Louis van Gaal in the new year to determine whether or not he wishes to depart the club in the summer of 2017 - or sign a fresh contract.

Rugby: Pro12

A struggling Munster side were again outfought, as the Newport Gwent Dragons condemned them to back-to-back league defeats for the first time since May 2014.

Two penalties from Rory Scannell was all the visitors could muster in a disappointing 22-6 defeat at Rodney Parade.

Leinster outhalf Ian Madigan has been attracting the attentions of French and English clubs - and if he turns down a contract extension at the Irish province it looks likely that his future could be at Top14 club Bordeaux-Begles.

What to watch out for:

The FA Cup draw for the third round is live on BBC at 7pm.

Monday night football, minus Gary Neville, tonight sees Everton take on Crystal Palace, kick-off at 8pm.

Sky Sports 1 from 7pm

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