1. #RIP Three men are appearing in court in Mauritius this morning in connection with the death of Michaela McAreavey, the daughter of Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte.
Last night the Red Hand boss gave his charges the green light to play their Dr McKenna Cup ties. He met with Tyrone officials last night.
Intercounty legend Peter Canavan paid tribute to Michaela on The Last Word last night.
2. #MYSTERY Confusion surrounds the absence of any vote from Giovanni Trapattoni and Robbie Keane from the Ballon D’Or ballot.
FIFA released the full voting card yesterday – as we showed you – but the Ireland manager and captain were conspicuous by their absence.
TheScore asked for clarification from the FAI yesterday but as Daniel McDonnell writes this morning in the Irish Independent: ”communications staff were unavailable for comment and did not respond to messages”
3. #HAWK-EYE The Irish Examiner’s John Fogarty reports this morning that the Hawk-Eye technology could be set for a trial run at Croke Park.
The inventor of the equipment – which is used in tennis and cricket so well – may be installed on Jones Rd by St Patrick’s Day.
4. O’BYRNE CUP Westmeath beat Dublin, 0-12 to 1-8, last night in Mullingar.
Pat Gilroy confirmed afterwards that the Dubs’ dressingroom was broken into and Stephen Cluxton had ‘a good bit’ of gear and equipment taken.
New Meath manager Seamus McEnaney got off to a losing start against UCD.
5. #GYPSIES Two Bohemians players will today put in train the process of lodging a petition to wind up the crisis-ridden north Dublin club at the High Court.
6. #TENNIS Conor Niland failed to qualify for the Australian Open as he was beaten 7-6 7-6 by Kevin Kim overnight.
7. #JIBE Edin Dzeko started how he means to go on at his Manchester city unveiling yesterday: by winding up his new club’s neighbours.
8. SHHHH! Munster’s Heineken Cup opponents Toulon have called on their supporters to demonstrate fair play in their tie with the Reds on Sunday.
The French side want their fans to remain quiet during Ronan O’Gara’s penalty kicks, according to Simon Lewis.
9. #SERIOUSLY? I actually defended Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster after last night’s first goal went in against West Ham in the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg tie at Upton Park.
I couldn’t help him when he conceded the crucial second.
