RUGBY: Munster seem destined to be without their talismanic captain Paul O'Connell when they face Biarritz in the Heineken Cup semi-final on May 2, but versatile winger Keith Earls, despite missing tomorrow night's Magners League clash with the Ospreys, is expected to be available for the San Sebastian showdown.

O'Connell has not played since Ireland's Six Nations defeat to Scotland on March 20, but the consolation for Munster has come in the form of Mick O'Driscoll, who has produced a series of accomplished displays in his place.

AAI reveals €400k deficit for last year

ATHLETICS: Ireland (AAI) overspent by almost €400,000 last year -- most of it because of legal bills, which will haunt the association for the next two years, according to a top official.

This finally reveals the actual cost of the High Court case in which ex-CEO Mary Coghlan successfully took against the AAI and the Sports Council after her dismissal.

Meanwhile, US Olympic and world 400m champion LaShawn Merritt has failed a doping test, his lawyer said yesterday.

Irish fall short but still able to qualify

TENNIS: After their encouraging 3-0 win over Malta in the opening tie, Ireland's Fed Cup team came up short by a similar margin to Morocco in their Europe-Africa Zone Group 3 clash on the Cairo's clay courts yesterday.

But Ireland will still qualify for a play-off showdown against Pool A winners Turkey, if they beat Algeria in their final Pool B tie today.

China to punish Li

CYCLING: Chinese officials have not yet been formally informed of Lance Armstrong's RadioShack team mate Li Fuyu failing a dope test but have promised he will be punished according to the regulations if it is confirmed.

Bulls hopes still alive

NBA: The Chicago Bulls held on to a narrow win against the Cleveland Cavaliers -- a result that keeps their NBA playoff hopes afloat.

NBA PLAYOFF: Oklahoma City 101 LA Lakers 96 (Lakers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1), Portland 89 Phoenix 108 (Phoenix lead the best-of-seven series 2-1), Chicago 108 Cleveland 106 (Cleveland lead the best-of-seven series 2-1)

MLB: Pittsburgh 0 Milwaukee 20, Minnesota 1 Cleveland 8, Oakland 4 NY Yankees 2, Washington 0 Colorado 2, Boston 0 Texas 3, Atlanta 3 Philadelphia 8, NY Mets 5 Chicago Cubs 2, Cincinnati 8 LA Dodgers 5, Houston 1 Florida 5, Chicago White Sox 2 Tampa Bay 10