The King’s Hospital’s David Smith kicks a conversion in the Vinnie Murray Cup semi-final against Presentation College Bray at Donnybrook. Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

                                                            HomeConnacht coach Pat Lam has committed his future to the province and signed a new deal until the summer of 2018. Tomás O’Leary is on his way back to Munster and will join on a two-year deal from London Irish. But there was bad news for Anthony Foley too with CJ Stander ruled out for the next six weeks with an ankle injury.Conor McGregor’s relentless assault on the world of UFC continues as the Dubliner moves to fourth in the featherweight rankings.‘Famous’ Seamus O’Connor – Ireland’s best-known snowboarder, earned a top-ten finish at the Men’s Slopestyle World Championships in Austria.

Ryan Stassel from the U.S. competes to win the men’s snowboard slopestyle event at the Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Kreischberg. Source: Darko Bandic/AP/Press Association Images

According to reports, Andy Lee’s first defence of his WBO middleweight title will take place in New York and not Ireland.

Kilkenny have withdrawn from this year’s Walsh Cup as a mark of respect following the death of Johnny Ryan, father of All-Ireland winning captain Lester.

Schools from Cork and Kerry dominated the quarter-finals of this year’s Corn Uí Mhuirí.

                                                            Away

Out of the darkness…Dustin Johnson is preparing to return to golf after taking a leave of absence to tend to ‘personal challenges’. Source: David Goldman/AP/Press Association Images

Dustin Johnson has said his binge drinking was the cause of him having to take a leave of absence from golf – not drugs.

Former Manchester United winger Bebe has admitted he thought the club ‘were kidding’ when they forked out €9 million for his services in 2010.

The bookies in Las Vegas made a little mistake with their Super Bowl bets and it could cost them a small fortune.

                                       The best thing we shared

As fisted points go, this is one of the better efforts we’ve seen in a while.

A challenge game between St Mary’s, Magherafelt and St. Louis, Ballymena was certainly brightened up by this moment of magic.

Thomas O’Kane, take a bow.

Source: Mal McMullan/YouTube

                                                   On the record

Munster head coach Anthony Foley speaking to our Murray Kinsella about the rumours suggesting the province can’t compete with the ever-growing wealth of other clubs.

                                            Where we were today

The intrepid Ben Blake was hanging out with Bohemians. He was working hard but we can’t say the same for Dean Kelly who was merely channelling his inner superhero. KAPOW!

Source: Clive O’Donohoe/INPHO

                                                The fixture list

It’s a relatively quiet Thursday (everything’s gearing up for the big one on Friday when Cambridge host Manchester United in the FA Cup).

If you’re that way inclined, there are two games in the Africa Cup of Nations (both on Eurosport) down for decision.

Zambia take on Tunisia at 4pm while Cape Verde v DR Congo gets underway at 7pm.                                                Showbiz, baby!

We welcomed a very special guest to The42.ie HQ earlier.

And, yes, you will DEFINITELY be the first to comment ‘That’s the closest a Corkman will come to a trophy this year’. So, fire away.

‘I couldn’t wait until after the wedding to get back into, y’know, doing journalism’. 

3 players retire with 14 All-Ireland senior medals between them, now Cork try to replace themChelsea in talks to sign Fiorentina’s €35m-rated Juan Cuadrado – reports