Istanbul Basaksehir pulled off a shock 2-1 win over Manchester United in last night's Champions League clash in Turkey. Former West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea forward Demba Ba scored the opener in a famous win that heaps the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Chelsea took a grip on Group E with a 3-0 win over Rennes, on a night when they announced a positive coronavirus test for Kai Havertz. Tonight Dundalk are back in Europa League action, and while the upcoming games against Rapid Vienna offer the best chance of a points return, Filippo Giovagnoli is readying his team for another huge challenge. Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick has retired from international football, the 32 year-old revealed the decision in a surprise statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.
The GAA's Fixtures Calendar Review Task Force has released their updated report for consideration by the counties and it brings profound changes a step closer in two separate areas: the separation of the club and intercounty seasons and reform of the All-Ireland football championship. From 2022 All-Ireland finals could be concluded by mid-July. The GAA have rejected the charge that Sligo's coronavirus-enforced withdrawal from the Connacht semi-final against Galway undermines the whole championship. Eamon Donoghue explains in his GAA Statistics column why Mayo's Conor Loftus midfield gamble is paying off - so far. The deployment of Loftus at No 9 has been a key ingredient in a more varied attack, however his physical limitations in the position represent a major gamble for the Mayo management. He's scored 1-4 and assisted 1-4 in three matches, but only contested one long Mayo kickout and conceded a mark in doing so.
South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to the Rugby Championship for the next decade, bringing an end to speculation the world champions may look to join the Six Nations. Leinster coach Felipe Contepomi expects Dan Leavy to return stronger than he was prior to the serious injury he sustained last year. The flanker made his return to action as a replacement against Glasgow, but it may take a little more time before he begins to start matches and go a full 80 minutes. Prop Tadhg Furlong is also on "the right track" in his return from a calf injury. In his column this morning, John O'Sullivan explains why France's Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack proved the most effective halfback pairing in the Six Nations: "The French halfbacks combined ran for more metres (521), beat more defenders (28), made the most clean breaks (18) and offloads (14), while joint top in carries (95) and in second place in terms of try assists (seven). They also lead the way in "break passes" (eight)."
Meanwhile, with next week's US Masters fast approaching on the horizon, Graeme McDowell is in action at the Houston Open at Memorial Park – the first of five tournaments in a six-week stretch – where world number one Dustin Johnson returns to competitive action after contracting Covid-19. Dan Martin is still in fighting mode as the Vuelta closes in on Madrid, with only four stages left to ride he is aiming to regain the third-place podium position he had held from the opening stage only to lose it on Sunday.
