Accomodation prices boom for World Cup
Any Ireland rugby fans planning on booking a late trip to the UK to watch their side play in the Rugby World Cup better have saved their pocket money, after a survey conducted by Trivago revealed hotels have upped their prices by an average of 184 per cent as they look to cash in on the tournament.
For those supporters hoping to watch Joe Schmidt’s side’s crunch Pool D game against France in Cardiff then the cost of accommodation is eye watering, with room prices in the Welsh capital increasing 1,095 per cent from an average price of £85 (€117) up to a staggering £1,018 (€1,404).
MacGinty preparing for World Cup with Eagles
Former Blackrock student Alan MacGinty is preparing for a World Cup campaign in the white red and blue of the USA rather than the green of Ireland and is set to pick up his sixth cap when the Eagles play Samoa in Brighton. He spoke to John O'Sullivan about how he ended up playing for America.
Joe Schmidt has taken a calculated risk in taking just two recognised scrumhalves to the World Cup, but Leinster's Luke McGrath believes his teammate Ian Madigan is more than capable of stepping up to the mark as third choice.
In his column this week Liam Toland talks about his experience doing the Cross Atlantic 1000, including some “lad from New Zealand” (Zinzan Brooke) doing the Haka in front of a hall of school children on request.
Lee Keegan backs the refs
Despite having a somewhat bumpy relationship with the men with the whistle, Mayo's Lee Keegan has come out as an unlikely advocate of the GAA's referees. On the day he was named GAA/GPA player of the month for August he said: "It is so difficult for a referee. He can't see everything."
The hurling player of the month was Tipperary's leading scorer Seamus Callanan and he said he is still getting treatment for the injury sustained when he was brought down for the penalty he subsequently missed in the ill-fated All-Ireland semi-final against Galway.
Meanwhile Dublin's retired 2011 All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen believes his former side's semi-final replay against Mayo will stand them in good stead when they play Kerry in the All-Ireland final, with the defending champions having gone four weeks without a game.
Grealish yet to choose
Jack Grealish's dad, Kevin, has rejected reports yesterday which suggested his son had chosen to commit his international future to England rather than Ireland, and insists the Aston Villa midfielder, who turned 20 yesterday, is yet to make a decision.
Dettori will miss Bondi Beach ride
Frankie Dettori will miss partnering Aidan O'Brien's St Leger favourite Bondi Beach at Doncaster on Saturday due to the start time for the Irish Champion Stakes being brought forward by 65 minutes to 5.45pm sue to concerns over the ground at Leopardstown. Dettori was going to fly by helicopter to get from Doncaster to Dublin.
What to watch out for:
Tennis
Bad weather forced yesterday's US Open women's semi-finals to be postponed until today, meaning Serena Williams will take on Roberta Vinci and Flavia Pennetta wil face Simona Halep in the morning session before 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer plays compatriot Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic plays defending champions Marin Cilic. (Sky Sports 3, 5pm-12am)
Rugby
Pat Lam's Connacht travel to play defending Pro 12 champions Glasgow Warriors looking for a first ever win at Scotstoun tonight. (TG4, 7.35pm)
Football
It's FAI Cup quarter-finals tonight, with Dundalk welcoming Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park (RTE 2, 7.25pm ko), Killester United travelling to Bray, Derry City welcoming Cork to the Brandywell and Longford taking on Sheriff YC.
Golf
Leona Maguire is in second round action at the Evian Championship following her opening day 72. (Sky Sports 4,10am-1pm, 2.30pm-5.30pm)
The second round of the KLM Open is underway with Wade Ormsby and Paul lawrie leading on nine under. (Sky Sports 4 red button, 10.30am)
Cricket
England play Australia in the fourth ODI at Headingley looking to level the series at 2-2 heading into Sunday’s final game at Old Trafford. (Sky Sports 2 from 10am)
