MEN’S FOOTBALL: Glentoran will face Crusaders in the Northern Irish League Cup semi-finals after second half goals from Jordan Jenkins and David Fisher helped them to a 2-0 win over Ballymena that continued their unbeaten record in all cup football this season. Tuesday evening’s match had been switched to Glentoran’s east Belfast home after heavy snowfall in Ballymena. Next week’s other semi-final will see Larne take on Cliftonville.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Welsh tight-head prop Leon Brown has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of just 28 after failing to recover from a persistent neck injury. He represented Wales at all age grades, made his full international debut in 2017 and went on to win 24 caps. Brown began his club career at Cross Keys before making 78 appearances for the Newport-based Dragons. He had managed to play only three games this season.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: The FA Cup third round’s extended weekend programme kicks off this evening with Sheffield United taking on Cardiff City before five-time winners Everton face League One’s Peterborough and Fulham are up against Watford. Holders Manchester United don’t visit Arsenal until Sunday following non-league Tamworth’s match with Tottenham. Fellow National League team Dagenham and Redbridge make the short journey to Millwall on Monday.

MEN’S TENNIS: Nick Kyrgios threw fresh doubt on whether he will play in the Australian Open after withdrawing from an exhibition match. The Australian returned to action in Brisbane last week after playing only one singles match since October 2022 following knee and wrist surgeries. He had been due to play in the exhibition alongside Novak Djokovic tomorrow but has withdrawn because of an abdominal injury.