Daily Mirror

LEINSTER'S preparations for Saturday's Twickenham decider have been hit by the news Eoin O'Malley has suffered a cruciate ligament injury. O'Malley, 23, below, was poised to be on the bench for the final but damage to his right knee deputising for Brian O'Driscoll on his return from a calf injury against Glasgow on Saturday night.

Aguero's Left Red Bod Blue

AS OMENS go, it wasn't a good one. Brian O'Driscoll is a big Man United fan and so the momentous events of Sunday afternoon left him devastated.

Ferris: There Is No Margin for Error

STEPHEN FERRIS says Ulster are on a Twickenham tightrope walk in this year's Heineken Cup final - and there'll be no safety net. Such is his regard for defending champions Leinster, Ferris warns Ulster can make no mistakes if they are to bridge a 13-year gap and bring European glory back to Ravenhill.

Luke Injury Is Priority

LUKE Fitzgerald's neck injury is the priority at the moment - not his contract. That's the view of IRFU chief executive Philip Browne, even though the Leinster and Ireland winger is out of contract with the Blues in under a fortnight.

Killarney

PETER O'HEHIR 5.30 CAOLANEOIN

Ready Fer War

STEPHEN FERRIS says he'll be ready for the physicality of a European final after a long year - and hopes silverware will boost flagging bodies for Ireland's summer tour. Ferris sustained a bang on the ankle before the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster, took two weeks off and then twisted his knee against Edinburgh in the semi-final.

Huge Ticket Demand

HEINEKEN CUP final organisers haven't seen as great a demand for tickets since the semi-final clash between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park three years ago. With tickets on public sale for Saturday's Twickenham final for the past 12 months, there were 7,500 available for Leinster and Ulster to distribute after their semi-final wins.

Dec Squad High Noon

DECLAN KIDNEY has put back the naming of the Ireland squad to face the Barbarians in Gloucester on May 29 until noon today. The Ireland coach was due to announce a preliminary panel at lunchtime yesterday but several medical updates were expected last night.

A Hick in the Teeth

SEAMUS HICKEY has been ruled out of Limerick's Munster SHC quarter-final against Tipperary on Sunday week after fracturing his elbow in freak circumstances while playing for his club. The defender suffered the injury while taking a sideline cut during the closing stages of the first half of Murroe-Boher's 2-15 to 1-14 victory over Ahane in Cappamore.

The Hard Work Starts Now

LAR CORBETT says it could be months before he's fit for inter- county hurling after his sensational return to the Tipperary squad. Corbett appears to have ruled out the prospect of featuring against Limerick in the Munster SHC quarter-final on May 27, by insisting his fitness is not up to the level required at the present time.

We'll Get Up Off the Dec

Mons v Derry (8pm) DERRY CITY go to Monaghan United tonight looking to pick up the pieces from their Setanta Cup final heartbreak. Declan Devine's men lost to Crusaders on penalties in Belfast on Saturday and need an immediate reaction.

I Expected More From the Hoops

DANNY NORTH believes Sligo Rovers have laid down a "massive" marker for the season after tearing apart the champions. The Bit O'Red crushed Shamrock Rovers 3-0 at the weekend to open a sixpoint lead at the top of the Premier Division.

Paul: Lar Can't Just Limber Up

TIPPERARY captain Paul Curran has ruled out the prospect of Lar Corbett featuring for the side against Limerick on Sunday week. The full-back feels that the 31-year-old has missed out on far too much training to be able to make a contribution to the team in the near future.

Bent's Near Missus

DARREN BENT says he is returning to full fitness and that taking him to the Euros would not be a risk. Correct. It would be a crime. Bent hasn't kicked a ball since rupturing ligaments in one of his left feet in February. He didn't kick it much before then either. ne of He

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