GAA: Championship
Kilkenny and Tipperary proved all the doubters wrong on Sunday as they put iffy league campaigns and a scattering of high-profile retirements behind them, replicating or perhaps bettering the form that had them in last summer’s All-Ireland final.
According to former Tipperary hurler Nicky English in his column this morning it's not so much the margin but the manner of their wins, that they produced such clearly defined game-plans and discharged them with ruthless efficiency and high skill levels.
“There was no talk afterwards about missing or retired players, just an acknowledgement those who have been handed the jerseys are capable of filling them.”
Kilkenny managed five goals in a ruthless 24 point win over Wexford. When asked after the game whether recently dropped Jack Guiney had a chance of returning in the coming weeks Wexford manager Liam Dunne said;
“You want your best players all the time and the player in question has the potential to be one of the best players in Ireland, let alone Wexford. But you have to treat everyone the same and you have to make decisions and tough calls. I am just hoping that the short-term pain for that player will be a long-term gain for Wexford.”
As for Tipperary, their manager Eamon O'Shea was delighted with a first Munster championship win under his tenure, and a first win in three against Limerick.
“We’re not anywhere near the end of this, and maybe we won’t get to the end of it, but we’re very happy tonight.”
Golf: US Open
It was heartbreak for Dustin Johnson, but Jordan Spieth is now halfway towards an unprecedented calendar Grand Slam after winning his second Major in succession with a thrilling victory in the US Open at Chambers Bay.
Johnson three-putted from 12 feet to squander another chance at a first major title.
“Whatever the putt did on the last hole, I don’t know. I might have pulled it a little bit. But still to me it looked like it bounced left. It’s tough. It’s very difficult (to know).”
Boxing: Baku
Katie Taylor delivered once more on Sunday, fighting against the last woman to beat her, in her opening European Games bout in Baku.
All three judges awarded the fight to Taylor against her old lightweight rival Denitsa Eliseeva from Bulgaria and afterwards she said she was content but looking for further improvement.
“I think I’m hungrier now than I ever was. I want to leave a great legacy, and I want to continue to win major championships.”
Racing: Irish Derby
It may not rank with her 50-1 Epsom Oaks shock but the Curragh authorities are hoping Qualify might yet spring another surprise and take her chance against the colts in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
It is 21 years since Balanchine became one of just three fillies in the 20th century to land Ireland’s premier classic, a statistic that doesn’t appear to be preventing connections of several horses from pondering a shot at 2015’s renewal of the €1.25 million highlight.
What to watch out for:
The Baku European Games continues today, remember there are nine Irish boxers just one win away from a medal. Ian O'Riordan is providing all the latest updatest for us throughout the day.
Setanta, 4.55am-8.40pm
The English women's team are through to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup tonight. They face Norway, kick-off is at 10pm.
BBC Three from 9.30pm
