Following their defeat to Galway in the opening round of the Super 8s on Sunday, Kerry are hurting because they lack the men to lead them. That's according to Darragh Ó Sé, who wants to see more from the likes of David Moran and Paul Murphy: "Can this team beat Dublin? Not on this evidence. Can they beat Monaghan? Well, things will have to change pretty quickly." Meanwhile Seán Moran explains in his column, how after a faltering start, the Super 8s is in a fight against an ingrained football culture.
Shane Lowry is hoping 'to do the business' in Carnoustie as the Open Championship gets underway tomorrow. His season has so far failed to yield any top-10 finishes: his best on the PGA Tour was a tied-14th at the Houston Open, his best on the European Tour a tied-15th at the BMW PGA championship. While his last three appearances in this oldest of Majors – at St Andrews, Troon and Birkdale – all finished in disappointment with missed cuts. However, he has the belief and a plan for a much better week ahead: "If I'm wrong I'll obviously eat my words at the end of the week. But I don't think it's driver everywhere. I think you need to get the ball in play, get the ball on the short grass and have control with your iron shots."
Cork City's Champions League qualifying ambitions were ended last night with a 3-0 away defeat to Legia Warsaw. The concession of a first half goal in Warsaw all but ended the tie, with the League of Ireland champions ultimately losing 4-0 on aggregate. They will now go into Monday's Europa League third round draw. Tonight, Celtic carry a 3-0 lead into the second-leg of their Champions League first round qualifier against Armenian side Alashkert.
Liverpool yesterday made an initial offer of €70m including add-ons for Brazil and Roma goalkeeper Alisson. If an agreement can be reached, last season's Champions League finalists would be smashing the transfer record for a goalkeeper to solve their problem position of recent seasons.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is refusing to pay an EPCR fine of €75,000 for discriminatory comments made during last year's competition. He told French publication Midi Olympique: "I will not appeal, I will not pay and I will lodge a complaint for defamation," after receiving a fine and warning of further sanctions for "comments that among other things allegedly condoned homophobic conduct, discriminated against and insulted various groups, and brought the game of rugby into disrepute by attacking, disparaging and criticising EPCR."
Julian Alaphilippe has prolonged French hangovers from World Cup celebrations by becoming the first home stage winner in this year's Tour de France. However race leader Greg Van Avermaet extended his overall lead, while Ireland's Dan Martin was prominent on the first big day in the mountains moving up to 17th overall.
