Joe Canning fuelled by negativity; Rangers fans facing election conundrum

"I loved having a chip on the shoulder, I wanted it."Joe Canning's new column continues this week and today he has a fascinating insight into a hurler's attitude to negative press coverage of a team that isn't performing up to its expected level. The Galway All-Ireland winner is looking at how some questioned Limerick after their below par league campaign, saying that if he felt such negativity around his own performances, it was too easy to use as an extra piece of motivation. "You obviously don't try any harder to win just because you're annoyed. But the effect of it is that your focus on the job and on the game plan gets wound in that little bit tighter. You snap right into it because you have a chip on your shoulder. You leave nothing to chance."

Thursday was a big day for Manchester United fans as they finally received confirmation that Erik ten Hag would be taking over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season. The Ajax boss will be the first permanent manager since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November. Johnny Watterson's column this morning looks at a bizarre problem for Rangers fans and Unionist politicians in the North who traditionally earn their vote. The upcoming Assembly elections take place on Thursday May 5th, the same day hundreds, if not thousands, of Rangers fans from Northern Ireland are expected to travel to Glasgow for their side's Europa League semi-final. Due to the risk of missing out on their vote, we now have various politicians beholden to the whims of professional football, asking as they are for legislation to be changed so these fans can cast absentee ballots. You can guess how their pleas are being met so far. Closer to home, Shamrock Rovers are hoping that the Danny Mandroiu-Jack Byrne axis can fire them to victory tonight over rivals Bohs as Rovers continue to reel in Derry at the top of the table.

Speaking of a top of the table clash, Ulster need a result tonight if they want to put pressure on Leinster after it emerged the top remaining seed will host the URC final later this season. Leinster currently lead their northern neighbours by ten points at the top of the standings with three games remaining. Munster, who could do with a win to shore up their own playoff qualification spot, make the trip up to Belfast for a Friday night interpro, kicking off at 7.35pm.

Shane Lowry continued his good form at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, shooting a 64 alongside Ian Poulter in the team event. Seamus Power and Graeme McDowell also had a good start, their pairing sitting one shot back on seven-under. Over in LA, both Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow struggled in their opening round of the LA open, carding rounds of two and six-over respectively.