IRFU quiet over Healy
The IRFU have refused to comment on reports suggesting Ireland's star prop Cian Healy will miss September's Rugby World Cup through injury.
The 27-year-old Leinster loosehead had an injury ravaged 2014/15 season with serious ankle and hamstring problems, and required neck surgery in May. Jack McGrath would be Healy’s most natural replacement should his provincial team mate not make Joe Schmidt’s squad.
Meanwhile according to England Rugby chairman Andy Cosslet the tournament is set to be a sell out. That means expect a full house for Samoa versus Japan in Milton Keynes and for Italy against Canada at Elland Road.
Geraghty looking for maiden Plate win
On the second day of the Galway Races yesterday the David Wachman-trained Hint of a Tint belied a sliding handicap rating to secure a first win since 2012, winning the Topaz Mile having started at a price of 6-1.
Now or Never was impressive in leading throughout in the juvenile fillies maiden, while Willie Mullins won the opening race again, Rugby Walsh partnering favourite Long Dog to a comfortable win despite a poor jump two from home.
BJ Geraghty was confirmed as AP McCoy's successor as JP McManus's number one jockey last month and he will be looking to solidify his new position with a win in the Galway Plate today.
The Plate is one of the few big races missing from Geraghty’s CV and he will attempt to tick it off on board seven-year-old Shanpallas, currently an 8-1 shot.
Costa limps off the Chelsea
Chelsea rounded off their pre-season in fine fashion last night as they beat Barcelona 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Washington. Eden Hazard scored a stunning first but there was concern for Jose Mourinho as Diego Costa limped off with a hamstring injury casting doubts over his availability for this weekend’s Charity Shield against Arsenal.
Mourinho and Arsene Wenger's bickering over transfers has continued, with the Arsenal boss suggesting Mourinho needs to check the "real statistics" if he wants to criticise his side's transfer policy.
Darragh Ó Sé on Dublin
An easier quarter-final tie against Fermanagh offering an almost guaranteed passage into the semi-finals of the All Ireland should in theory be ideal for Dublin, however this isn’t the case, writes Darragh Ó Sé.
He believes it will be difficult for Dublin to avoid complacency ahead of a fixture they are expected to win and win comfortably, while it could also leave them heading into the All Ireland semi-finals severely undercooked.
Indeed the prospect of a one sided affair at Croke Park seems to have put supports off, with 50,000 expected for a double header which also includes Kerry against Kildare - compared to a gate of 72,000 in the corresponding fixture last year.
Dublin corner back Philly McMahon is getting a reputation as a bit of a marauder after displaying his shooting prowess in a number of games, but he is fully aware his defensive duties come first.
When player and punter collide
In his column Andy McGeady looks at moments when tempers flare between sportsmen and women and members of the crowd.
What to watch out for:
Cricket
It’s the first day of the third Ashes Test match at Edgbaston today, with England looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat at Lord’s. Sky Sports 2, 10am.
Racing
The feature race on day three of the Galway Races is the Galway Plate which is off at 5.30pm. RTE 2, 2.50pm-5.55pm.
Glorious Goodwood continues with impressive French horse Solow favourite for the Sussex Stakes. Channel 4 1.35pm-4pm.
