Euro 2016 qualifiers: Gibraltar v Ireland
Ireland’s pursuit of a place at next summer’s European Championships continues tonight as Martin O’Neill’s side play Gibraltar in Faro.
With his side currently sitting in fourth place in qualification Group D and two points behind Scotland O'Neill has acknowledged tonight's fixture is a must win but has remained cautious ahead of facing a side who were beaten 7-0 at the Aviva Stadium last October, writes Emmet Malone from the Algarve.
Brian Kerr believes O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane have been correct in treating minnows Gibraltar with respect and emphasising there is no room for complacency, and he feels a place at Euro 2016 is still achievable as long as full points are taken from tonight's game and the visit of Georgia on Monday.
Gibraltar have conceded 27 goals so far in qualification scoring just once, but they have enjoyed a new sense of optimism with the recent arrival of manager Jeff Wood.
One side on the brink of the Euros are Wales, who will qualify for their first major tournament since 1958 with a win over Israel on Sunday after they beat Cyprus 1-0 last night thanks to a late Gareth Bale header.
Twickenham fixture will be a warm-up only in name
Ireland take on England at Twickenham tomorrow and boss Joe Schmidt has named a strong side for a game he believes will be a warm-up only in name.
The one surprise in an anticipated line-up is the selection of Simon Zebo at full-back, who has another chance to stake his claim for the number 15 jersey in a fixture that will be “a hot-bed from the start”, writes Gerry Thornley.
Liam Toland believes while England have many fine athletes they are also littered with poor decision makers and this is something Zebo and the rest of the back three are well placed to exploit.
Pro 12 returns
The Pro 12 returns to night and Leo Cullen has been able to welcome back Ireland internationals Fergus McFadden, Isaac Boss and Noel Reid for his first game in charge of the province against Edinburgh.
Elsewhere Andrew Trimble starts for Ulster against Ospreys at Ravenhill while Nepia Fox-Matamua will make his Connacht debut against the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground.
Connolly has appeal rejected
Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly looks almost certain to miss tomorrow's All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo after his appeal against a one-match suspension was rejected by the GAA's Central Appeals Committeein the early hours of this morning.
Galway looking for historic double
Galway face defending champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland senior hurling final on Sunday while they will also appear in the minor final against Tipperary, and while this reflects the rude health of hurling in the county the Tribesman have never sealed the double before.
In his column John Allen writes Galway can beat the mighty Kilkenny at Croke Park, but in order to do so they must try to man-mark the dangerous duo to Richie Hogan and TJ Reid.
Rory confident he can stay number one
Elsewhere world number one Rory McIlroy is confident he will keep his place at the top of the rankings and feels he can win tournaments while easing his way back into action following the serious ankle injury which kept him out of his British Open title defence. McIlroy is among the field in the Deutsche Bank Open which starts today.
Murray battles back in New York
Andy Murray showed nerves of steel to recover from two sets down to see off Adrian Mannarino in the second round of the US Open. British number one Murray won 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, while Roger Federer eased past Steve Darcis in straight sets on a scorching day in New York.
What to watch out for:
Football
Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign continues against Gibraltar in Faro tonight, 7.45pm ko, RTE and Sky Sports 1.
Group D rivals Scotland take on Monday’s opponents Georgia (5pm ko SS1), while Germany look to leapfrog Poland into top spot (7.45pm ko, ITV 4).
Northern Ireland look to keep their qualification push on track away against the Faroe Islands, 7.45pm ko, SS5.
Rugby
The Pro 12 returns tonight with Leinster travelling to play Edinburgh (7.35pm ko TG4), Ulster welcoming the Ospreys to Ravenhill (7.35pm ko BBC 2) and Connacht facing thr Dragons at the Sprtsground.
Golf
World number one Rory McIlroy is in action in Boston in the Deutsche Bank Open, SS4 7.30pm-11.30pm.
