The Guinness Pro12 2016-17 season launch took place today at the Aviva Stadium. INPHO / Billy Stickland  INPHO / Billy Stickland  / Billy Stickland 

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• Injured Mayo defender Ger Cafferkey has added his voice to calls for Mayo GAA chiefs to postpone club matches fixed for next weekend.
• Colin O’Riordan will have to wait until 2017 to resume his Aussie rules career with the Sydney Swans after confirming that he sustained a broken bone in his back and a punctured lung in a recent outing in Darwin.
• The Irish men’s hockey team have climbed inside the top ten of the world rankings for the first time on the back of their memorable campaign at the Rio Olympics.
• Pat Hickey didn’t appear before a Rio court today because prosecutors have not yet been able to present their case before a judge.
• Dublin has been chosen as the host city for this season’s Guinness Pro12 final, which will take place at the Aviva Stadium on 27 May 2017.
• FAI CEO John Delaney has paid tribute to the late Milo Corcoran, while opting not to comment on the Rio tickets situation, in his first interview since the controversy broke.
• Ireland international Alan Judge could be set for a move to Newcastle, while James McCarthy is expected to leave Everton before the current transfer window closes.
• Irish footballers Samir Carruthers and James Collins have been banned from racecourses in Britain by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy with her grandmother Betty after arriving home at Dublin Airport today. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Away

• Andre Gray is facing disciplinary action after the Football Association confirmed he’s been charged with misconduct after disturbing homophobic and sexist comments he posted to Twitter in 2012 resurfaced last weekend.
• Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez will miss the start of the new Bundesliga season after injuring his hand falling down a flight of stairs.
• England manager Sam Allardyce has suggested he will attempt to bring veteran Chelsea captain John Terry out of international retirement.
• Dana White and Conor McGregor could be set to butt heads over the future of the organisation’s featherweight belt.
• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Russia’s appeal against a ban from competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Where We Were Today

Ben Blake is in Poland for Dundalk’s Champions League play-off second-leg clash with Legia Warsaw, while Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell were at the Guinness Pro12 2016-17 season launch at the Aviva Stadium.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The Best Thing We Shared

Conor McGregor enjoyed his ‘I told you so’ moment after Saturday’s win against Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in Las Vegas…

On The Record

The purpose of Connacht Rugby is to try and inspire the community with success. And there’s no doubt the trophy represents some serious inspiration for the people of the west of Ireland. But it’s now part of history.

Last season was a memorable one for Pat Lam and Connacht but it’ll be a fresh start for the 2016-17 campaign.

The Fixture List

• There are five Champions League play-off second-leg games down for decision tomorrow, including Manchester City’s meeting with Steaua Bucharest (7.45pm).
• In tomorrow’s EFL Cup fixtures, Accrington Stanley host Burnley, Fulham entertain Middlesbrough, Morecambe are at home to Bournemouth and Sunderland play host to Shrewsbury Town (all 7.45pm).

Showbiz, Baby!

Ireland international Alan Judge could be set for a move to Newcastle United. Have a look at what he’s capable of in the video above.

Burnley’s Andre Gray charged after disturbing homophobic tweets resurface

Dana White admits a lightweight title fight ‘makes sense’ for Conor McGregor