The Morning Sports Briefing

Jim McGuinness: Cork the victims of a flawed competition format

In today’s paper the former Donegal manager poses the question why the All-Ireland Championship structure appears to be harshest on team’s coming off the back of provincial final defeats.

McGuinness focuses on the plight of Cork, who looked weary and lacking in their defeat to Kildare on Saturday just days after losing to Kerry in the Munster final.

“Kildare brought all the psychological momentum into Saturday night last whereas Cork were in reverse thrust. They were still reeling as they faced into a game which they weren’t physically or mentally ready for. And they had no time to do anything about it.”

Keane believes time on pitch essesntial for young players, wherever it is

Roy Keane was in Abbotstown yesterday for the launch of the National Under-17 League, a venture he hopes will see more Irish players playing at the top level.

The Ireland assistant feels that not enough players are playing at that level and that young players simply need time on the pitch, whether it be in the Premier League, out on loan, or in league such as that launched yesterday.

Ruaidhrí Croke reports from FAI Headquarters where Keane, along with High Performance Director Ruud Dokter and Airtricity League director Fran Gavin launched the new league.

Di María set for Old Trafford exit with Paris the destination

Jamie Jackson reports that Manchester United are in advanced talks with Paris St Germain over the sale of wantaway playmaker Angel Di María. The two clubs are said to be negotiating a deal in the region of €40 million.

The proposed fee is less than half the British record that United paid for the Argentinian less than a year ago and Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodward is reportedly holding out for a higher offer.

Despite that however, United boss Louis van Gaal has accepted that Di María wants to leave and will let him do so.

Late switch reaps rewards for Kate Harrington

Kate Harrington's last minute switch from her mother - Jessica Harrington's - trained Kabjoy to Modem for yesterday's Connacht Hotel Handicap at the Galway Races proved an inspired move as the jockey went on to win the €80,000 highlight of the opening day at Ballybrit.

The route now looks open for Modem to attempt a massive festival double in Thursday’s €300,000 Guinness Galway Hurdle, a double not secured in quarter of a century since Athy Spirit in 1990 and completed by just three horses in total.

Waterford high on confidence and ready for Cats

Waterford’s win over Dublin in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final has given Derek McGrath’s side huge confidence and they will go into their semi-final clash with Kilkenny supremely confident of making it to Croke Park for the final in September.

Gavin Cummiskey reports that the Déise's ability to react after Dublin's second half blitz on Sunday will stand to them on August 9th when they face up against Brian Cody's side in the capital.

Irish cyclist Ciaran Kelly hit with four-year ban

Irish amateur cyclist Ciaran Kelly has been banned for four years from competition after testing positive test for Clenbuterol in April 2014. The ban also took into account the cyclist's conduct, which the Irish Sports Council described as "deceptive" and "reckless".

Kelly, a 27-year-old from Leixlip, was previously a promising junior rider who competed abroad and who was part of the Sean Kelly team in 2006.

What to watch out for

The second day of the Galway Festival gets underway this evening with full coverage on RTE2 from 5pm.