The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named and coach Declan Kidney has opted for an unchanged lineup.

The Leitrim Ladies travelled to Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh on Sunday last hoping to maintain their 100% record in this year’s Bord Gais Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3, but they would have been well aware that the challenge posed by Armagh would be a step up from what they faced against Down and Sligo in their previous matches.

It was confirmed this afternoon, Wednesday, that Carrick-on-Shannon’s Shane Layden will start at full-back for Ireland against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations U-20 Championship in Athlone on Friday evening in Dubarry park, Athlone, kick-off 7.05pm.

Leitrim man Eddie McGowan will compete in this year’s European Pool Championships which take place this week in the Green Isle Hotel in Clondalkin, in Dublin City.

After seeing his side slump to their first league defeat of the year Leitrim manager Niall Kilcrann was understandably frustrated with the two point loss but he insisted there were plenty of positives that could be taken from the game.

The Gallogly Catering All County League Division 1 got underway in Ballinamore on Saturday afternoon last but it was the visitors, Mohill, who deservedly recorded an opening day victory.

A two point victory gives the impression of a very tight and hard fought encounter but in realty, for the majority of the game Mohill were much stronger and it was only the introduction of Wayne McKeon and the moving of Shane Moran into midfield with 20 minutes remaining that gave Ballinamore any hope of turning the outcome in their favour.

Underdogs Dromahair really put it up to their near neighbours Glencar/Manor when the sides met in Sunday’s competitive Gallogly Catering ACL Division 1 opening round game in Gaelic Park, Bundoran but it was Glencar/Manor who emerged victorious to get their league campaign off to the perfect start.

With Carrick-on-Shannon full-back Shane Layden playing a starring role in the U-20 Six Nations opening two games, the Carrick man and Ireland will be hoping to make it three wins from three when they host Italy at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Friday night, kick off 7pm.

Ireland’s rugby squad finally get the opportunity to bounce back from the opening Six Nations defeat to Wales this week.

Carrick Ladies journey in the Connacht Ladies League came to a heroic but heartbreaking end in Longford as they exited the competition narrowly to Buccaneers. After prevailing 7-0 in the League fixture in Leitrim Village earlier this season the Carrick ladies knew they had their work cut out to reach the final.

Drumshanbo VS to Kiltimagh, 25 - 14, 19 - 25, 25 - 27.

Laura Reynolds produced an outstanding performance when winning the Woodies DIY AAI Senior Indoor 3000m Walk Championship in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on Saturday last with the Mohill athlete retaining the title she won last year.

Colin Griffin’s Olympic preparations have been dealt a major blow after the Ballinamore Athletic Club race-walker was omitted from the Irish Sports Council’s High Performance grants package which was announced in Dublin on Tuesday.

Leitrim got their league campaign and hopes for promotion from the Allianz National Football League Division 4 back on track with a much needed win over Carlow on Sunday last. The two point winning margin was greeted warmly by the Leitrim players when the full time whistle sounded as they knew defeat to Carlow in Dr Cullen Park would effectively have ended their interest in the division after just two games.

Leitrim Ladies secured their second win in as many games in Division 3 of the Bord Gáis National Football League with a nine point win over Sligo at Connolly Park in Collooney on Sunday afternoon. Full forward Aine Tighe continued her good form, helping Niall Kilcrann’s side keep up with the early pace-setters with a goal and nine points. The win now sees Leitrim sit third in their division, level on points with the top two, Westmeath and Armagh by virtue of points difference.

With a two point victory and two precious National League Division 4 points secured it was understandable that Leitrim joint manager Barney Breen was in an upbeat mood when talking after his side got the better of Carlow on Sunday last.

It has been announced that three Leitrim players - Wayne McKeon, Cathal McCrann and Paddy Maguire - have been named in the Connacht squad for this Sunday’s M. Donnelly Interprovincial semi-final against Ulster in Markievicz Park, Sligo on Sunday next, February 19 (throw-in 2pm).

Leitrim Horse Riding Club supported by Leitrim Sports Partnership are having an open evening on Friday, 17th February from 7pm to 9pm at Moorlands Equestrian Centre, Drumshanbo. Why not come along and see what our club is all about, chat to our members and even have a spin on one of the school horses. 

Having seen his side lose by two points Carlow manager Luke Dempsey struggled to hide his frustration when talking to the press after last Sunday’s match in Dr Cullen Park. Although he was pleased with the effort put in by his players he was left ruing a series of missed chances that ultimately ensured his side’s first match of the Allianz National Football League Division 4 proved to be a losing one.

One of the most successful eras in the long history of Sligo Rovers came to an end yesterday, Monday, when the club confirmed that Paul Cook has departed the club to take charge at English League Two side, Accrington Stanley.