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Advantage Celtic after draw in Lithuania; Gerry Thornley interviews Ronan O’Gara

Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with his players after their draw in Lithuania. Photograph: Ints Kalnins/Reuters
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with his players after their draw in Lithuania. Photograph: Ints Kalnins/Reuters

Celtic's defensive woes continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw against FK Suduva in the first leg of their Europa League playoff in Lithuania. Brendan Rodgers' team got off to the perfect start with Olivier Ntcham grabbing their crucial away goal early on, but by the 13th minute they had conceded to a free header. Burnley had Ben Gibson sent off as they suffered a 3-1 loss at Olympiakos, with Stephen Ward, Kevin Long and Jeff Hendrick all starting.

Jason Smyth now 13 years undefeated on the international stage, pocketed gold medal number 19 at the European Para-Athletics Championships in Berlin last night, with another record to boot. The T13 100 metres title completes a sprint double after the Irishman won the 200m on Tuesday, bringing Ireland's medal tally in Berlin to seven. Earlier in the day 18-year-old Jordan Lee from Killarney, making his championship debut, won bronze in the T47 high jump, with a best height of 1.75 metres. Read Ian O'Riordan's report on the day's action here.

The new Pro14 season is just one week away, and Gerry Thornley has been discussing what's ahead with Ronan O'Gara. The former Irish outhalf is excited about Joey Carbery wearing No 10 for Munster; "I think I could have been in Cork that day it was announced, and there was a big buzz. It's big, you know? I think what's most exciting is his age profile. He's only going to get better."

In his column this morning, Jackie Tyrrell highlights the defensive masterclass of Mike Casey that was so key to Limerick's All-Ireland hurling triumph; "For parts of the game, the battle between him and Johnny Glynn was the only thing I was watching. And to see a smaller defender overcome a much bigger attacker just through the art of defending did my heart good."

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Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue

Eamon Donoghue is a former Irish Times journalist