World Cup - Hughes gets Northern Ireland call - Jeff Hughes has capped a terrific season at Notts County with a call up to the Northern Ireland squad. Ligue 1 - Wallemme to stay at Auxerre - Jean-Guy Wallemme will continue as Auxerre manager despite their relegation to Ligue 2, club president Gerard Bourgoin confirmed. Heineken Cup - Kearney wins European prize - Ireland fullback Rob Kearney has been named as the European player of the year after helping Leinster to defend the Heineken Cup with a record-breaking victory over Ulster at Twickenham on Saturday. European championship result - 400m freestyle final: 1. Paul Biedermann (Germany) 3:47.84 2. Gergo Kis (Hungary) 3:48.09 3. Samuel Pizzetti (Italy) 3:48.66 4. Robbie Renwick (Britain) 3:50.46 5. Sebastien Rouault (France) 3:50.6 6. Gabriele Detti (Italy) 3:51.92 7. Evgeny Kulikov (Russia) 3:52.57 8. Patrik Rakos (Hungary) 3:52.8 Liga - Abidal leaves hospital - Barcelona defender Eric Abidal was released from hospital on Monday six weeks after having a liver transplant, the Spanish club said in a statement. "Given the particular nature of this recovery process, Abidal will have to undergo regular hospital checkups," a medical note said on their website. Bundesliga - DFB confirms Hertha relegation - The German Football Federation has confirmed Hertha Berlin's relegation to the second division after their appeal against the play-off defeat to Fortuna Düsseldorf was rejected. Soderling prolongs break - Former world number four Robin Soderling is to take a further break from tennis after suffering a illness-hit 10 months. League Two - King named Macclesfield boss - Relegated Macclesfield appoint former Lewes boss Steve King as their new manager. King signs a two-year deal and replaces Brian Horton, who left Moss Rose after the Silkmen dropped into the Blue Square Bet Premier having finished bottom of npower League Two. Kearney named as top ERC player - Ireland and Leinster full-back Rob Kearney is named as the ERC player of the year for the 2011/12 season. London 2012 - Adlington backs Carlin to qualify - Four years ago Jazmin Carlin was cheering Rebecca Adlington on to success - now it is the double Olympic champion who will be doing the supporting as her friend bids to resurrect her London 2012 hopes.