This weekend sees the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals take centre stage with the meeting of Clare and Galway first up tomorrow at 5pm before Cork take on Limerick at 3.30 on Sunday. John Kiely's Limerick side have been hugely impressive this season in getting all the way to the last four and Jackie Tyrrell writes in his column this morning that they have more than enough to beat Cork. "When I watch this Limerick team, they stand out as a team who have most, if not all, the answers they're looking for. They tick all the boxes," he writes. You can follow all of the action on our liveblogs from both games starting at 4.30 on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.
Moving on and history was made by the Irish women's hockey team in London yesterday as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time ever. Anna O'Flanagan's 13th minute goal was enough to see off world number 10 side India and send Ireland straight through to the last eight. As Stephen Findlater writes from London: "They did so from a group as the only side not operating on a professional basis. History has no basis for this either. Their last World Cup appearance came in 2002, their last group stage win was in 1986." Ireland are the first team in the tournament to book their quarter-final place which will take place next Thursday.
On to soccer and Dundalk must score away from home against AEK Larnaca in the second leg of their Europa League second round qualifier after they drew a blank against the Cypriots in Oriel Park last night. Stephen Kenny's side were not at their best in last night's scoreless draw and, if they're to join Cork in the third qualifying stage, they will need a big performance away from home next week. Meanwhile, John Delaney has said that the FAI will clear the Aviva Stadium debt by 2020 but declined to say whether it would require the use of long-term sponsorship funds. Delaney said that the organisation's outstanding debt on its share of the cost of redeveloping Lansdowne Road has been reduced by around €8 million to €29.5 million since December 31st, the end of the year covered.
Tomorrow Dublin and Mayo ladies will meet at Dr Hyde Park in the latest instalment of their ongoing rivalry and Dubs goalkeeper Ciara Trant believes that their opposition will be more dangerous due to the ongoing row in the ranks which has seen a number of players leave the panel. "In the Cavan game it actually gave them an edge, and it has probably brought them closer together," says Grant. "I can only speculate about the team. I don't know much as we are focusing on ourselves," Trant said.
Finally to golf and Paul McGinley is one shot off the lead at the Senior British Open after day one thanks to a round of 66 at St Andrews. Kirk Triplett and Thaworn Wiratchant lead the lead in Scotland with Bernhard Langer lurking just two shots behind.
