Laois produced one of the shocks of the summer yesterday, as their hurlers beat Dublin for the first time since 2005 to secure an improbable place in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals. Eddie Brennan's side - a week on from Joe McDonagh Cup victory - ran out 1-22 to 0-23 winners at O'Moore Park, a result goalkeeper Enda Rowland described afterwards as, "pure and utter ecstasy." Gavin Cummiskey was in Portlaoise, he writes: "Dublin showed up. Honestly, they came ready for a tussle before progress. They were simply out hurled, out hustled and while the likes of Seán Moran and Danny Sutcliffe maintained almost regal composure when surrounded by wildly swinging ravenous foes, it wasn't enough. And maybe it never will be." Laois' reward for their victory is an All-Ireland quarter-final with Munster runners-up Tipperary in Croke Park next Sunday. Elsewhere, the make-up of the 2019 Super 8s has been decided, after Leinster finalists Meath edged Clare 2-16 to 1-18 in an absorbing qualifier clash in Portlaoise. They will face Donegal in Meath next weekend in their Group 1 opener, with Mayo facing Kerry in Killarney after their 2-13 to 1-13 win over Galway on Saturday evening. Dublin, Cork, Roscommon and Tyrone make up Group 2.
Elsewhere the USA women have been crowned world champions for a fourth time, after they beat the Netherlands 2-0 in yesterday's World Cup final in Lyon. Megan Rapinoe was the hero once again for the Americans, opening the scoring from the penalty spot on the hour mark after VAR had intervened to award her side a controversial penalty, following Stefanie van der Gragt's challenge on Alex Morgan. Rose Lavelle doubled the USA's lead in the 69th minute with a fine solo effort to kill off any hopes of a Dutch comeback, before her side lifted the trophy in front of a crowd of 59,000.
Jon Rahm was crowned Irish Open winner for the second time in three years yesterday, after the Spaniard blitzed the field with a stunning final round of 62 at Lahinch. Rahm's efforts saw him finish on -16 for the tournament - two strokes clear of England's Andy Sullivan and Austria's Bernd Wiesberger - while compatriot Rafa Cabrera Bello saw his challenge fade as he unravelled on the back nine before signing for a 69 to finish on -13. Afterwards, Rahm spoke of his love for the Irish Open, as he added to his 2017 success: "I can't say again how much I like the country of Ireland. Yeah, you'll see me here. Hopefully I get my third one and tie Seve. That's my goal from now on coming to this event, is to have as many wins as Seve." Cormac Sharvin was unable to make a charge on the final day in Co Clare but he finished the tournament as the pick of the Irish on nine under par following a final round of 70 - enough to leave him in a share of 15th place and earn a cheque for €85, 655.
After a day's rest the second week of Wimbledon begins today, and all eyes will be on two women in particular as the last-16 gets underway - Serena Williams, and Cori Gauff. Seven-time winner Williams takes on Carla Suárez Navarro on Court One and she is followed by 15-year-old American sensation Gauff, who will face Simona Halep for a place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile in the men's draw Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are all in action and expected to make serene progress into the quarters. For the first time in the Open era, there are more players over the age of 30 than under in the fourth round - and there's no sign of the mantle being passed on just yet, writes Johnny Watterson in London.
And Brazil are Copa América champions after they beat Peru 3-1 in a pulsating final at the Maracana last night - their first major title since they last won the competition in 2007. Everton opened the scoring for the tournament hosts before Paolo Guerrero equalised from the spot for the underdogs. Gabriel Jesus restored the Seleção's lead on the stroke of half-time but was sent-off for a second bookable offence after 70 minutes. However, Everton forward Richarlison secured victory with a penalty at the death.
