As the dust settles on an international break which provided a rollercoaster of emotions, there's one thing which most Ireland supporters will be able to agree on - the kids are alright. Stephen Kenny's side went from the highs of nearly beating to Portugal to the lows of nearly losing to Azerbaijan, before rounding off their window with a 1-1 draw against Serbia. Gavin Bazunu was a standout player throughout, while his fellow 19-year-old Andrew Omobamidele delivered a Rio Ferdnand-esque performance on Tuesday night. And Kenny has been quick to acknowledge the contribution of the next generation: "I couldn't have predicted that Gavin [BAZUNU]and Andrew would play as well as they did," he said. "Andrew was up against [ALEKSANDAR]Mitrovic and [DUSAN]Vlahovic; really physical, really powerful guys. But he just has another gear, he is so quick."
The All-Ireland final looms ever closer - on Saturday evening Mayo and Tyrone will meet at a half-full Croke Park in a match which looks fascinatingly, evenly poised. And in his column this morning Ciarán Murphy suggests that while most of the country might be rooting for Mayo to scratch the 70-year itch, this could suit Tyrone down to the ground. He writes: "Not alone are Mayo the choice of the chattering classes then, they are also the sentimental favourites. It's safe to assume that the other 30 counties will be rooting for them, which casts Tyrone as the party-poopers, a position they are not unfamiliar - or unhappy - with."
England saw their 100 per cent World Cup qualifying record come to an end last night, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Warsaw. Gareth Southgate's side took the lead through a Harry Kane dipper in the 72nd minute but they were pegged back at the death by Damian Szymanski's header. England remain four points clear of second place Albania in Group I. Meanwhile Northern Ireland's hopes of a play-off place are still alive after they drew 1-1 with Switzerland at Windsor Park, Haris Seferovic missing a first-half penalty for the visitors.
Novak Djokovic is into the semi-finals of the US Open as he bids to complete a calendar Grand Slam. The world number one battled from a set down to beat Matteo Berrettini 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-3 in a repeat of the Wimbledon final. Meanwhile in the women's draw English 18-year-old Raducanu continued her fairytale journey by reaching the semi-finals in what is only her second Major tournament.
And the BMW PGA Championship got underway this morning. There are four Irish golfers in the field, with Shane Lowry teeing off at 12.55pm.
