There were mixed fortunes on the continent for League of Ireland rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians last night, with both sides needing penalties to decide their Europa League qualifying first round matches. In the earlier kick-off, Keith Long's Bohs upset the odds as they held Fehérvár to a 1-1 draw in Hungary - however heartbreak followed as the Irish underdogs were beaten 4-2 in a shootout, Dan Casey and Kris Twardek missing from the spot. Later on Premier Division leaders Rovers were held to a 2-2 draw by Finland's Ilves in Tallaght. After extra-time an epic shootout ensued, with Rovers eventually progressing to the next round after winning 12-11 on penalties.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has spoken for the first time since he was found guilty of a number of offences and handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days, following an incident on the Greek island of Mykonos. In an interview with the BBC, 27-year-old Maguire said he was "scared for his life" during the incident, which he claims was sparked after his sister Daisy was injected with a substance by two men at a bar. "I don't feel I owe an apology to anybody. An apology is something when you have done something wrong," Maguire said. "I regret putting the fans and club through this but I did nothing wrong."
In today's 'worst sporting moment' Damian Cullen looks back to the 2003 Uefa Cup final, when an estimated 80,000 Celtic supporters descended upon Seville and saw their side beaten 3-2 in extra-time by José Mourinho's Porto. Not that he's still bitter about it: "There's no shame in a 3-2 defeat after extra-time in a Uefa Cup final to a hugely-talented side which would go on to claim the Champions League trophy the following season. But . . . the manner of the defeat - the cheating, diving, time-wasting, anti-climax, poor fare, errors. More errors. A lost opportunity."
Saturday's Pro14 clash between Leinster and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium is to go ahead, despite a cluster of Covid-19 cases in the Ulster academy. And John O'Sullivan writes that while calling the fixture off might have seemed the obvious move at face value, rugby - like society - must learn to live with the virus until a vaccine is available. "Professional rugby - it is applicable right across the sporting spectrum - can't afford to shut down every time there is a flare up in terms of cases because to do so would be financially unsustainable in the medium to long term. It doesn't mean being cavalier or taking unacceptable risks but just as society is having to adjust, so too must sport."
Worst sporting moment: No fairytale ending for Celtic as play-acting Porto pull through
Underdogs Passage seek to halt Ballygunner juggernaut in Waterford hurling final
Michael Jordan plays a key role as NBA steps back from the brink
Harry Maguire says he was ‘scared for his life’ during Greece incident
Charlotte Hornets owner and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan has reportedly played a key role in negotiations to try and bring the NBA season back from the brink, in the wake of the boycott which started in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Wisconsin.
Rory McIlroy has made a steady start as he looks to get back to winning ways in the BMW Championship, and he sits three shots off the lead after a tough opening day in Chicago. McIlroy battled to an opening round of 70 at Olympia Fields, with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama setting the early pace with a 67. Tiger Woods meanwhile suffered a hat-trick of bogeys on his final three holes to sign for a 73 and slip down the early leaderboard.
And the Tour de France is due to start tomorrow, however there are no doubts over the famous race after Nice, the scheduled start point, was placed on Covid-19 red alert. Should the 2020 Tour go ahead as planned, you can find a stage-by-stage guide here.
