Gaelic Games

The Morning Sports Briefing

Gooch returns for Kerry as Tyrone go down, McCoy eyes Grand National double, Leinster’s need to improve, Manchester City’s eight cup finals and what to watch out for

Kerry’s Colm Cooper comes on the pitch to replace Bryan Sheehan against Tyrone, making his long-awaited return from a cruciate ligament injury. Photo: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Kerry’s Colm Cooper comes on the pitch to replace Bryan Sheehan against Tyrone, making his long-awaited return from a cruciate ligament injury. Photo: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Mon Apr 06 2015 - 08:53

GAA: Allianz League

Colm Cooper made his return to action for Kerry against Tyrone yesterday, 19 months after his last appearance. The cruciate ligament victim was a second half substitute in the Kingdom's narrow victory, one which subjected Tyrone to Division Two football in 2016.

In a hectic final round of action next weekend's semi finalist were decide; Cork versus Donegal and Dublin versus Monaghan.

In Division Two Down and Roscommon started the day with matters in their own hands and duly picked up victories against Laois and Westmeath respectively to punch their tickets to Division One.

READ MORE

In Division Three Armagh and Fermanagh were already promoted so the day’s key game saw Limerick defeat Louth 2-13 to 2-11 in Drogheda. Louth will be joined in Division Four next year by Wexford, despite the latter side’s 2-16 to 2-12 win over Tipperary in Clonmel.

In Division Four Offaly beat Antrim by 1-13 to 1-7 to book a final place against Longford.

Racing: Grand National

Tony McCoy will hope gambled-on favourite Cantlow can give him the first leg of a Grand National double at Fairyhouse today which would help bring to a close one of the most famous careers in racing history.

The legendary champion jockey has already stated he will bring forward retirement plans should Shutthefrontdoor win the Aintree Grand National on Saturday.

Rugby: Champions Cup

After defeating Bath in Saturday's European Champions Cup quarter final thanks to six Ian Madigan penalties Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor says his team will need to find a try-scoring touch in their semi final in Toulon.

“We’re in the top four teams in Europe,” said a bullish Matt O’Connor, “You can write it up how you like but that is the reality of it.”

Fullback Rob Kearney says the team's preparations were key to the win, and if they can replicate that they can turn around their Pro12 form and win away to Toulon.

Soccer: Premier League

Jermain Defoe's wonder volley gave Sunderland a remarkable fifth consecutive derby win over Newcastle yesterday, giving their survival hopes a major boost.

In tonight's Monday night kick off though Manchester City visit Crystal Palace for the first of what Manuel Pellegrini has termed the eight cup finals for which his team must raise themselves between now and the end of the season.

Golf: Houston Open

J.B. Holmes came out on top in a three-way playoff at the Houston Open on Sunday.

Holmes came from six strokes behind in the final round with a sizzling eight-under-par 64. In the playoff overnight leader Jordan Spieth was eliminated at the first extra hole while Homes then outlasted fellow American Johnson Wagner, who missed a five-foot par putt at the second extra hole.

What to watch out for:

Fairyhouse Grand National Day is here and you can tune in on RTE.

RTE 2 from 2.30pm-5.30pm

Manchester City have a big test ahead of them, with Arsenal really pressing for their second place spot and with neighbours United to come next weekend they visit Crystal Palace this evening.

Sky Sports 1 from 4.55pm

For a look at Leinster's win over Bath on Saturday be sure to tune into Against the Head.

RTE 2 from 7pm-8.05pm