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1. #REF STRIKE The row over GAA referees’ expenses intensified last night when refs in Longford voted to go on strike, RTÉ reports this morning.
The decision was taken at a meeting to discuss new proposals which could see expenses cut to €13.71 per game and 50 cent per mile travelled in line with recommendations by the Revenue Commissioners.
2. #BIT O’RED Sligo Rovers appointed Ian Baraclough as the club’s new manager last night. The 41-year-old joins the Bit O’Red following a short spell in charge of Scunthorpe United in the Championship last season.
3. #SIX NATIONS Ireland management had positive news to report on the injury front ahead of Sunday’s rescheduled game against France in Paris.
Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy and Sean O’Brien are all expected to recover from knocks in time to take part in today’s training session. Cian Healy received a blow to the jaw during Saturday’s win against Italy and will take part in “modified training” while he recovers this week, the IRFU said.
French coach Philippe Saint-André is expected to name his team to face Ireland later this morning.
4. #IRE V CZE Portsmouth’s in-form goalkeeper Wayne Henderson was give his first Republic of Ireland call-up yesterday as a replacement for the injured Kieran Westwood.
Giovanni Trapattoni will name his team for tomorrow evening’s Euro 2012 warm-up against the Czech Republic at a press conference this afternoon.
5. #RORY Rory McIlroy heads to Florida for the Honda Classic with his world rankings destiny firmly in his own hands once again.
The Northern Irishman missed out on the chance to become world number one when he lost 2&1 to Hunter Mahan in the final of the Accenture World Match Play on Sunday, but with Luke Donald taking this week off, a win for Rory in Florida would see him leapfrog the Englishman into top spot.
