Victory for Rory McIlroy at the CJ Cup in Las Vegas ensures that the Northern Irish golfer can put his recent Ryder Cup disappointment firmly in the rear view mirror. Starting the last day two shots behind overnight leader Rickie Fowler, a final round score of 66 - the highlight of which was an eagle putt from off the green at 14 - was good enough for a one-shot victory over Collin Morikawa. Speaking after becoming the 39th player to notch 20 PGA Tour wins, McIlroy admitted that he contemplated not playing again after the Ryder Cup defeat, but that he ultimately realised the importance of coming back: "I need to play golf, I need to simplify it. I need to just be me. I realised that being me is enough, and being me I can do things like this."
Newcastle's Sunday evening clash with Tottenham Hotspur was a worrying affair as the game had to be suspended in the first half when a fan in the stands required urgent medical treatment. Fortunately, the person in question was stabilised before being taken to hospital. It was just one of a number unique moments on the day that Newcastle's new Saudi chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan was unveiled to St. James' Park. In his column this morning, Ken Early questions how rewarding Newcastle fans will find any future success after the club's takeover, arguing that "it won't feel like they always dreamt it would feel, because everyone will understand the success has been bought by Saudi Arabia for the greater glory of Saudi Arabia."
Johann van Graan was decidedly non-committal about the prospect of Conor Murray returning to the Munster side after Saturday's interpro victory over Connacht. Next weekend's trip to Glasgow represents Murray's last chance to play before Ireland's November test window. In reaction to his side's narrow defeat, Connacht boss Andy Friend strongly laments the officials' inability to pick up on an apparent offside in the build-up to Chris Cloete's opening Munster try. Friend appears to have spotted an officiating trend during his time out west: "I've been here three and a bit years, mate, and if it's a 50-50 I rarely see it going our way." Elsewhere, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen admits that he would like to see Ciarán Frawley progress onto bigger and better things after a player-of-the-match display in the win over Scarlets. With Robbie Henshaw an injury doubt for Ireland's November squad, the Leinster outhalf turned inside centre appears to be timing his run of form nicely.
Today marks the start of the World T20 campaign for the Irish men's cricket squad. Ahead of the opening game against the Netherlands, we break down all you need to know about both the tournament and Ireland's chances. Fast bowler Josh Little also tells us how he wants to take the fight to Ireland's opponents in the initial stages, saying that he doesn't want anyone to see the group as 'these soft Irish lads.'
