Ajax are a draw or win away from their first European Cup final since 1996, after they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in their semi-final first leg in London last night. The visitors - who dumped out holders Real Madrid and Juventus in the previous knockout rounds - dominated the opening half and took a well deserved lead through Donny van de Beek after 15 minutes. Mauricio Pochettino's side - without both Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min - were more resolute after the break, but now have a mountain to climb in next week's second leg in Amsterdam. Spurs lost defender Jan Vertonghen to a head injury in the first-half, with the Belgian allowed to return to the pitch after a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld before being helped down the tunnel. Afterwards, Pochettino defended his medical staff: "I was not involved. It was the doctor's decision. It's so important that the rules and the protocols are there and our medical staff followed the protocols." Tonight sees Barcelona take on Liverpool at the Nou Camp in the second semi-final, and boss Ernesto Valverde is aware of the attacking threat posed by the visitors: "They're very strong, extraordinary up front, they press and play with a very high rhythm and pace."
Elsewhere in his column this morning Gordon D'Arcy stresses the importance of foreign imports to the provinces, at the start of a month where James Lowe and Scott Fardy will be vital in Leinster's pursuit of a fifth European Cup. He writes: "When we go through the six European titles Leinster and Munster share between them and Connacht's Pro 12 title, the foreign influence is undeniable." And he picks out one player in particular who he believes left an indelible mark on Irish rugby: "But perhaps the biggest impact by any foreign player ever on Irish rugby belongs to Rocky Elsom. Not the most valuable, that's Isa, or sustained, Isa again, but impact-wise what Rocky did in 2008/09 stands the test of 10 years. Rocky was special. The best blindside in the world came to do a specific job."
The great Un De Sceaux stole the show on the opening day of the 2019 Punchestown Festival yesterday, as the rampant 11-year-old comfortably saw off stablemate Min to take a 10th career Grade One under Paul Towenend and retain the €300,000 Boylesport Champion Chase. It was the second of two Grade One victories for Willie Mullins on the day, with Supreme winner Klassical Dream following up to take the Herald Novice Hurdle in fine style under Ruby Walsh. Later Gordon Elliott's Delta Work took the Champion Novice Chase under Davy Russell in a much improved performance after finishing third in the RSA at Cheltenham - moving into next year's Gold Cup picture in the process. Today Mullins saddles the three market leaders in the Punchestown Gold Cup (6.05) - Al Boum Photo, Kemboy and Bellshill - while Allaho will be bidding to reverse the Cheltemham form with Albert Bartlett winner Minella Indo in the Grade One Novice Hurdle (5.30).
And Dublin footballer Paul Flynn has announced his inter-county retirement aged 32. He won six All-Ireland titles after making his debut for the county in 2008, and won four consecutive All Stars from 2011-2014. On his decision, he said: "Since my back surgery last year I've struggled to reach the fitness required for inter-county and to reach the standards that I set for myself. While my heart says play on unfortunately my body says it's time to call it a day."
