Matt O'Connor was "mutual consented" by Leinster early on Thursday. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Home

• Leinster parted ways with head coach Matt O’Connor — and former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans is the early favourite to replace him
• Henry Shefflin and Patrick Horgan said that sledging is not a problem in hurling
• Cian Healy is confident that he will be fully fit in plenty of time for the Rugby World Cup
• New Zealand’s Aaron Gate won today’s sprint finish as the An Post Rás entered Ballina; Lukas Postlberger retains a comfortable lead in the general classification

Away

• Raheem Sterling’s agent reportedly said that not even £900,000 a week would keep the youngster at Liverpool — and then denied ever making the comments
• Roy Hodgson named three uncapped players in his England squad for the friendly against Ireland
• Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne was awarded €264,000 in phone hacking damages
• Francesco Molinari shot a seven-under-par 65 to lead the BMW Championship at Wentworth; Peter Lawrie is the best of the Irish on -3
• Philippe Gilbert won today’s 12th stage at the Giro d’Italia; Alberto Contador finished second and retains the race leader’s maglia rosa

The best thing we shared

If we ever made a hole-in-one and won a car, we’d definitely celebrate like Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson did at Wentworth.

On the record

I don’t really read the papers, so I had my mam coming in to me saying, ‘Are you going to miss the World Cup?’ It was never an issue to me. They said there was a possibility, but 90% chance you’re going to be grand.

The gospel according to Church — if Cian Healy says he’ll be fit for the World Cup, he’ll be fit for the World Cup.

The fixture list

• The Glasgow Warriors host Ulster in the first of this weekend’s Pro12 semi-finals (7.45pm Friday; Sky, BBC NI, TG4)
• It’s first v fifth and second v third in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division – St Patrick’s Athletic host Dundalk, and Cork City take on Shamrock Rovers
• It’s day two at Wentworth, stage six of the Rás, a flat day at the Giro … and much, much more

Showbiz, baby!

No Pirlo, no party

One day, I couldn’t even get a bag of Tayto

Analysis: Ulster and Glasgow in shape for thrilling Pro12 play-off

Player ratings: how the Irish senior footballers got on for their clubs this season