MEN’S FOOTBALL: Linfield picked up the northern Irish Premiership title for a record-extending 57^th time without playing after second-placed Glentoran failed to beat last year’s champions Larne in east Belfast on Tuesday night. 

The Glens had led 2-0 early in the second half but were reeled in by a tap-in from Paul O’Neill and Andy Ryan’s penalty to leave Linfield a whopping 19 points clear in the table with only six games to play.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: English Premiership bottom club Newcastle Falcons will be spared a relegation play-off this season after it was confirmed that Ealing, who currently lead the second-tier Championship by 13 points, have again failed to meet the top league’s ground capacity and safety compliance criteria.