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Kauto Star was in relaxed mood yesterday. Betfair
Early Doors

The Morning Score: Friday

Here’s everything you need to know before you hit the green milkshakes.

Every morning TheScore serves up the sports stories you need to be across before your first cup of coffee.

1. #EXIT Cork forward Ben O’Connor has called time on his intercounty career. The Newtownshandrum man captained the Rebels to All-Ireland glory in 2004, as well as winning two other Celtic Crosses.

2. #EUROPA LEAGUE Both Manchester clubs crashed out of the Europa League last night. City beat Sporting Lisbon in a classic at Eastlands but went out on away goals. Goalkeeper Joe Hart almost scored an injury-time header to complete a fightback.

Earlier, United were well beaten in Bilbao, though Wayne Rooney did score a long-range consolation goal.

3. #SIX NATIONS Ireland take on England at Twickenham tomorrow in the final weekend of their Six Nations campaign. Yesterday, interim coach Stuart Lancaster made just one change in his side. Elsewhere, France visit Cardiff and Italy take on Scotland.

4. #GOLF He’s back baby! Pádraig Harrington tore up the course yesterday. He  finished the day on 10-under par 61, after a career-best performance at the US PGA Transitions Championship. An impressive 75-foot putt for birdie at the par-3 17th hole helped the Irishman to overcome his previous lowest round of 62.

5. #CHELTENHAM It’s the big one today; Kauto Star v Long run in the Gold Cup at Prestbury Park. You can download your office sweepstakes kit here, if you’ve got any money left in the kitty.

Yesterday, Ruby Walsh steered Big Buck’s into the history books in the Thursday feature.

6. #HOCKEY Ireland kept their Olympic qualification bid on track with a 3-0 win over Chile at Belfield last night.

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