GAA: Under-21 Hurling
Many of the Waterford squad who suffered their first loss of the season in last weekend’s Munster final against Tipperary have the ideal opportunity at redemption this afternoon.
Those still eligible for the Under-21 grade, and there are plenty, will see the challenge which Under-21 standard bearers Clare present as the perfect motivation to bounce back from that defeat.
So three days after a senior Munster final, it’s to Cusack Park for a Munster Under-21 semi final;
“After getting a defeat, like we did against Tipperary, the first thing you want to do is go out and play another one,” says senior player Noel Connors.
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail has promised that the association will do whatever is necessary to find out what happened to Dublin footballer Davey Byrne.
Speaking in Kilkenny, Ó Fearghail expressed his disappointment that no proper evidence of the incident in which the player was left with a broken nose and other facial injuries from an off the ball incident at a challenge game, had yet surfaced.
“If something happens in any game, and nothing comes of it, that is not a system I would be comfortable with,” said Ó Fearghail.
Meanwhile Brian Whelahan has become the first high-profile managerial casualty of the season, resigning as Offaly hurling manager after a disappointing championship campaign. One man who won't be going anywhere though is Clare hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald, with their county board confirming his future role on Thursday evening despite two disappointing and very controversial seasons.
Rugby: World Cup
Irish captain Paul O'Connell has clarified that the last time we will see him in the green jersey will be during this summer's World Cup.
“The World Cup will certainly be the end of my Irish rugby career. I will say never. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup but this is going to be the end of my time playing for Ireland.”
Cycling: Tour de France
British Sky rider Chris Froome is now almost three minutes clear at the Tour de France after yesterday's stunning climb on Bastille Day. The first mountaintop finish in any major stage race is always a key moment as the contenders discover precisely where they stand, and this was a pretty devastating statement from Froome.
For Dan Martin a disappointing ride left him deliberating over a missspent rest day;
“I simply couldn’t push the pedals. I wasn’t breathing hard on the last climb, I literally didn’t have the strength to do anything. It wasn’t just me; the team’s other co-leader Andrew Talansky went out the back at the same time, so it was something affecting both of us.
“All I can think about is that it was the rest day, and also perhaps that we hadn’t done any climbing in so long.”
Golf: British Open
“I’m still young, not 40 yet . . . . I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you. I love competing, I love playing in these events.”
For most Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler may be leading the American charge at this week's British Open, although a certain Tiger Woods is clearly eager not to be forgotten.
From spending a total of 683 weeks through his career ranked at No 1, Woods has now dropped to 241st in the rankings and has gone more than 18 months without a top-10 finish. Although is last outing produced three rounds in the 60s, and with that perhaps progress at last?
What to watch out for:
For those of you who can hardly wait until the start of the Premier League season, you can get a glimpse at Arsenal, Everton and Stoke in the Asia Trophy pre-season competition this morning.
Sky Sports 1 from 10.45am
Tour de France Stage 11: To Cauterets
TG4, 1.10pm-4.40pm
That Under-21 Munster hurling semi-final between Clare and Waterford throws in at 7.30pm.
TG4 from 7.15pm
The St Andrews Champion Golfers' Challenge may give us a taste of how the famous course is running ahead of Thursday.
BBC 2, 4pm-6.30pm
