Semi-final
# semi-final - Thursday 16 May, 2013
Eurovision semi-final mark two: Glowworms, eyebrows and a delightful Romanian
It’s our Eurovision live blog as it happened.
# semi-final - Friday 10 May, 2013
Craig Gilroy not expecting Lions stand-by role but focused on Ulster success
“It’s been a good, but also a strange, season.”
# semi-final - Tuesday 7 May, 2013
‘Rory Best didn’t have anyone fighting his Lions case, others did’
Ulster coach Mark Anscombe felt the need to speak up for his hooker following his exclusion for Warren Gatland’s home nations squad.
# semi-final - Friday 3 May, 2013
Munster did a good piece of business there – Schmidt on hat-trick hero Conway
The Leinster winger raced in a hat-trick in his team’s 37-19 win. A tantalising wing combination with Simon Zebo looms in 2013/14.
As it happened: Leinster v Ospreys, RaboDirect PRO12
Joe Schmidt’s men could clinch a home semi-final by beating the niggly Welshmen.
# semi-final - Saturday 27 April, 2013
O’Connell set to start for Munster despite concerns
The star was reported to be struggling with a hip injury ahead of this evening’s Heineken Cup semi-final.
As it happened: Leinster v Biarritz, Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Final
If Joe Schmidt’s side could defeat the two-time Heineken Cup finalists they would set up a winner-takes-all clash with Stade Francais.
‘Munster players are brought up on cup rugby, it’s what we relish’
Former Munster and Ireland flanker David Wallace wants Paul O’Connell & co to expose any lingering Clermont doubts.
# semi-final - Friday 26 April, 2013
‘It is unfair for people to criticise Sexton for moving to France’
The last time Biarritz prop Ben Broster was at the RDS his side beat Leinster 52-23.
Munster ‘more vicious’ than Toulouse but Clermont call on ‘thug’ Bonnaire
Thomas Domingo pays credit to Paul O’Connell and his pack for ‘eating’ Harlequins at The Stoop.
Sexton starts at 10 for Leinster, Madigan partners O’Driscoll
Jamie Heaslip and Kevin McLaughlin get starts against Biarritz but Gordon D’Arcy and Sean O’Brien are out.
# semi-final - Thursday 25 April, 2013
5 talking points from this week’s Champions League semi-final action
Our assessment of Bayern’s brilliance, Barca’s brutality and more.
# semi-final - Wednesday 24 April, 2013
Lewandowski almost signed for Blackburn – but the volcanic ash cloud intervened
The four-goal hero was due to hold talks with the club in 2010.
‘Every team has a vulnerability’ – Penney aims to exploit Clermont weaknesses
The Munster head coach has urged his side to capitalise on any opportunities this weekend.
‘It’s my first semi-final and probably one of my hardest’ – O’Mahony ready for Clermont showdown
The Munster star also says he’s been “picking up things” from the more experienced players.
# semi-final - Tuesday 23 April, 2013
5 year nostalgia alert! All change for Munster since taking on Clermont & Schmidt
It feels like a lifetime ago but some of the main protagonists are still on the scene.
# semi-final - Tuesday 16 April, 2013
Clermont’s Jamie Cudmore seems less than pleased by Paul O’Connell’s non-citing
Nathan Hines, meanwhile, pointed out that the Canadian’s own disciplinary record is fairly poor.
David O’Callaghan: Dublin hurlers got carried away
“If you’re even just a couple of per cent off, any team will beat you,” says the forward with an eye on the league semi-final.
# semi-final - Sunday 14 April, 2013
City hold on to end Chelsea’s FA Cup defence
Goals in each half from Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero were enough for Roberto Mancini’s side to prevail.
As it happened: Dublin v Mayo, Division 1 FL semi-final
There was a place in the league decider on offer this afternoon in Croke Park. Here’s how the action unfolded.
# semi-final - Saturday 13 April, 2013
Brogan returns to Dublin side for league semi-final
Opponents Mayo have made two changes for the clash in Croke Park.
# semi-final - Monday 8 April, 2013
‘When Munster are up for it we’re a different team’ – Ronan O’Gara
“It’s a great day to be a Munster person,” declared the veteran outhalf following his side’s 18-12 win.
# semi-final - Wednesday 13 March, 2013
Shittu sends Millwall to Wembley semi-final
The Championship side will now face Wigan in the FA Cup last four.
# semi-final - Sunday 10 March, 2013
Man City await as United and Chelsea deliver enthralling draw
Four lovely goals were shared this afternoon and a replay at Stamford Bridge awaits.
# semi-final - Tuesday 5 March, 2013
Schools Success: St Michael’s and Rockwell College advance to rugby finals
There was semi-final action in the Leinster and Munster Schools Senior Cup today
# semi-final - Saturday 16 February, 2013
St Brigid’s are heading to Croker after dramatic win in Mullingar
The Roscommon side beat 14-men Crossmaglen Rangers by a single point at Cusack Park.
# semi-final - Saturday 9 February, 2013
All-Ireland Club SHC: Kilcormac-Killoughey triumph
Ciaran Slevin struck 0-11 for the Offaly champions in their success against Thurles Sarsfields.
# semi-final - Friday 1 February, 2013
Waterford Crystal Cup: Clare advance to final for a second consecutive year
The Banner saw off Cork after a delayed start while Rebels selector Kieran Kingston also spoke on the decision not to include Donal Og Cusack in the Cork panel for this year’s league.
# semi-final - Wednesday 30 January, 2013
# semi-final - Wednesday 23 January, 2013
Stalemate carries Swans to Wembley as Laudrup predicts ‘regret’ for Hazard
Michael Laudrup predicted that the red-carded Belgian will soon be issuing an apology.
# semi-final - Wednesday 9 January, 2013
VIDEO: Michu scores another beauty as Swans take 2-goal lead to Wales
Who fancies a Swansea v Bradford Capital One Cup final?
# semi-final - Tuesday 8 January, 2013
Ba: Torres still the man at Chelsea
Yet the Senegalese striker added that playing with the creative players at Chelsea makes the game look easy.
# semi-final - Wednesday 19 December, 2012
Chelsea swagger into League Cup semi final
The Blues hit Leeds United for five in the second half at Elland Road.
# semi-final - Saturday 15 December, 2012
# semi-final - Friday 7 December, 2012
Clermont are ‘undoubtedly’ the favourites says Leinster coach Schmidt
The Kiwi is daunted by his former side’s blistering start to their Heineken Cup pool.
# semi-final - Monday 3 December, 2012
‘It’s weeks like this you play rugby for’ – Sexton on Clermont challenge
The French side are 50 games unbeaten at the Stade Marcel Michelin.
# semi-final - Thursday 1 November, 2012
Pro12: Doak calling on Ulster young guns to keep the winning streak
Ulster will put their unbeaten record on the line against a side that have lost their last six matches.
# semi-final - Monday 22 October, 2012
Two games lost and no points gained is a recipe for elimination – Michael Bradley
The Edinburgh coach summed up his side’s 33-0 defeat to Munster as ‘embarrassed again, I’m afraid’.
# semi-final - Saturday 13 October, 2012
Murray conjures up Olympics repeat to derail the Fed Express
The US Open champion just made the race for the world number one ranking a bit more interesting.



























































