Lowry bags biggest career win to date
Shane Lowry held his nerve last night as a final round of 66 helped him secure the biggest win of his career to date, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Lowry held off a stern challenge from Bubba Watson and with the two-time Major winner lurking in the clubhouse on nine under the Offaly man delivered when it mattered most, producing a stunning wedge from out of the thick stuff and over the trees on the 18th which set him up for a closing birdie and a two shot win.
As well as boosting Lowry’s bank balance with a cheque for $1.57 million victory at Firestone earns him with a three-year exemption on to the PGA Tour, a place at next year’s Masters and moves him into the world’s top 20.
Death, taxes, Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final
Kilkenny’s hurling dominance continued yesterday as they reached yet another All-Ireland final courtesy of a 1-12 to 0-18 win over Waterford at Croke Park.
Brian Cody has now steered the Cats to the game's showpiece event 14 times in the last 17 years, and while it might not be as sprinkled with stardust as some of its predecessors his side's character is there for all to see, writes Malachy Clerkin.
The source of much of Kilkenny's inspiration were Richie Hogan and TJ Reid, who between them scored 1-14 and accounted for all of their side's first half points. Sean Moran was at Croke Park to witness another day of brilliant predictability from Cody's side.
Waterford's 2015 campaign is now over and manager Derek McGrath was left to rue the winning mentality of a relentless Kilkenny side, and suggested next term might be more difficult for the Deise despite having 14 under 21s in the squad, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
Nicky English has pointed to the excellence of the likes of Hogan and Reid, as well as in insatiable win to win passed down by Cody, as the driving factors behind Kilkenny’s continued success.
O’Donnell and Ireland await injury verdict
Ireland's World Cup preparations got off to an ideal start on Saturday as they swept aside a ragged Wales side at the Millenium Stadium, however victory was marred by a serious injury to Tommy O'Donnell. The Munster openside will learn the full extent of his injury today.
O'Donnells injury would have brought back bad memories for fullback Felix Jones who missed the 2011 tournament after breaking his ankle in a warm-up game against France at the Aviva, writes Gerry Thornley in Cardiff.
Liam Toland reflects on Ireland’s 35-21 win at the Millennium Stadium in which he feels Joe Schmidt’s side looked weeks, if not months ahead of the home side.
West Ham give Arsenal reality Cech
Arsenal's new goalkeeper Petr Cech had a league debut to forget after he was caught out twice allowing Cheikou Kouyate and the Mauro Zarate to give West Ham a 2-0 win at the Emirates yesterday. The game was most memorable for the assured performance of 16-year-old Reece Oxford in the heart of the Hammers' midfield.
Shane Long's 79th minute header rescued a point for Southampton away at Newcastle after Steve McClaren's side had recovered from Graziano Pelle's opener to take a 2-1 lead through Papiss Cissee and new man Georginio Wijnaldum.
Elsewhere Philippe Coutinho's 86th minute strike gave Liverpool a 1-0 win at Stoke City as they went some way to exorcising the demons of their 6-1 defeat on the final game of last season.
Heffernan disqualified in Santry
Rob Heffernan's preparations for the World Championships in Beijing took a slight hit yesterday after he was disqualified halfway through the 10km walk in the National Championships at Santry.
What to watch out for:
Football
Raheem Sterling is set to make his debut for Manchester City as they travel to The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion. Sky Sports 1, 8pm ko.
