Golf clubs - and club golfers - have been left disappointed with the news all courses in the Republic of Ireland have been forced to close due to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions which came into force overnight. The news has come as a big blow to golfers across the country and is also a surprise, as Ruaidhrí Croke writes: "Initially the sense was that golf would be permitted to continue, potentially restricted to members only living with 5km of the course as was the case in May." Meanwhile Philip Reid has questioned the logic in shutting down a sport which gets people outside in vast open spaces and which can have a hugely positive effect on mental health: "And there is an anomaly at the very root of all this. I know. Last night my daughter could go football training in her pod of 15 players on one side of a pitch. Tomorrow, she can't go golfing - in a group of three or four - on a golf course of over 200 acres. Where's the sense in all of that?" Tennis Ireland however have said clubs can remain open with strict protocols in place.
Andy Farrell named his side for Ireland's return to action in the Six Nations yesterday, with Leinster's Hugo Keenan and Will Connors both set to make their debut against Italy on Saturday afternoon. There are also two potential Test match debutants off the bench, with Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson Park named among the replacements, while Bundee Aki has been given the nod to start alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield. Ireland realistically need a bonus point win to keep their title hopes alive, and Farrell has suggested his side will look to play on the front foot at the Aviva Stadium: "I think it's dynamic. I think we can play in a range of ways. We want to play a high-tempo game but obviously Italy will have a say in that because they want to play a high-tempo game as well. So we're excited by the team. They can't wait to get out there and let's see what happens."
Elsewhere Liverpool - without injured defender Virgil van Dijk - were 1-0 winners away to Ajax in Amsterdam last night, a first-half Nicolás Tagliafico own goal enough to give the visitors all three points. Manchester City were 3-1 winners at home to FC Porto after going behind early on at the Etihad, while defending champions Bayern Munich thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0. Tonight Dundalk take on Norwegian champions Molde in their opening Europa League group fixture in Tallaght (kick-off 5.55pm), with Celtic welcoming AC Milan to Parkhead, Arsenal travelling to take on Rapid Vienna and Spurs at home to LASK. In international football, it was confirmed yesterday Ireland will take on England at Wembley in a friendly on November 12th.
"A lot done, more to do," was the overriding theme of an online discussion yesterday which marked the end of the two-year 20x20 campaign, aimed at promoting women's sport. Among the speakers were Manchester United boss Casey Stoney, Rachael Blackmore, Sonia O'Sullivan and Martina Navratilova, who said: "As the saying goes, 'we've come a long way, baby - but we still have a long way to go."
And Dan Martin continued his strong start to the Vuelta a España yesterday, the Irish rider grabbing another third place finish in the second stage - he currently wears the green jersey with Primoz Roglic the overall leader.
