Soccer: Transfer window
Liverpool have won the race for Brazilian Roberto Firmino’s signature, with the club announcing this morning that the Hoffenheim forward has been signed, subject to a medical.
The Premier League club announced the 23-year-old Brazil international has agreed “a long-term contract” and will undergo a medical once he completes his commitments at the Copa America.
Meanwhile Arsenal look to have secured what may turn out to be Arsene Wenger's finest ever bit of business, as Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech now looks certain to join them.
And there we were thinking Arsenal were the ones who sold their players to rival clubs.
GAA: Darragh Ó Sé
Talking in his weekly column this morning Darragh Ó Sé is giving a special mention to the defenders, to the players who mightn't receive too many man of the match awards but by marking the Diarmuid Connollys, Michael Murphys and James O'Donoghues of this world will be the real All-Ireland winners.
“Keith Higgins is too good a defender to leave his post but there’s always a chance that eventually frustration will take over. A corner back with too much football in him can be a dangerous thing.”
Rugby: Concussion
Andy McGeady is saying this morning that the concussion debate needs the media to generate awareness; "the role of the media in reporting concussion is a delicate but important one. ESPN once had a regular NFL highlight segment called 'Jacked Up' where viewers were treated to replays of players getting laid out from huge hits while the presenter and panellists whooped in the background. Years on, things have changed. Young NFL players are now leaving the game because of concerns around brain injury."
The playing of sport should be encouraged but so should an understanding of potential risks.
Meanwhile returning star Isa Nacewa says he turned down an unofficial approach to resume his playing career during his time with the Auckland Blues but when Leinster made inquiries earlier this year the lure of returning to the Irish province proved irresistible.
Boxing: Baku
Irish boxing coach Billy Walsh says he is set on qualifying an Irish boxer in each of Rio's 10 weight divisions. Talking to Ian O'Riordan at the European Games in Baku, where Ireland secured their second medal in the sport through Sean McComb yesterday, he says the tournament is proving a worthy exercise as he continues to set plans to better the four medals won in the London Olympics.
Golf: Majors
Fresh from his back-to-back Majors in the US, Jordan Spieth is now poised to launch bid for second half of the Grand Slam with the British Open at St Andrews coming next on his hit list.
Can he buck history and actually win the Grand Slam?
He is significantly less experienced than the others who won the first two legs. Woods was the youngest, at 26; it’s certainly going to be a tall order. Interesting piece by Victor Mather on one of the most difficult feats in sport.
What to watch out for:
Both the Leinster Under-21 hurling semi-finals are tonight, Carlow host Kilkenny at 7.30pm in Dr Cullen Park and Offaly host Wexford at the same time.
TG4 from 7.15pm
Let's see if Harry Kane, Danny Ings and the rest of their high-profile English Under-21 team mates can break the nation's major tournament hoodoo this summer. They play Italy in the European championships quarter-final tonight.
BT Sport 1 from 7pm
