SNOOKER: Playing in his first competitive game since January, fifth seed Ronnie O’Sullivan notched up his 1,286th century break as he beat Ali Carter 10-4 in the first round of the World Championships. 

O’Sullivan will start his second-round match on Saturday afternoon against the unseeded Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu, who knocked out 12^th seeded compatriot Zhang Andu 10-7, as he attempts to win a record-breaking eighth world title. 

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Just three points separate the League of Ireland’s top six before tonight’s fixtures kick off with table-topping Drogheda travelling to face Galway who are three points off the pace in fifth.