Rugby: World Cup
Inevitably, the news every rugby fan was hoping against emerged last night as Sean O'Brien was cited for his punching incident in Sunday's pool win over France - if banned he could miss anything from two to 12 weeks of rugby.
And so the cost of victory in that pool decider in Cardiff continues to mount - yesterday Rhys Ruddock was called into the squad to replace Peter O’Mahony - and Paul O’Connell too, it would seem he has also played his last game of this World Cup.
Despite French coach Philippe Saint-Andre calling for action to be taken, Irish coach Joe Schmidt has maintained that O’Brien was reacting to an off the ball pull back - with an open hand movement. Ireland will also point to O’Brien’s good disciplinary record when building their defence. He’ll learn his fate at a disciplinary hearing at 1pm today.
Gerry Thornley acknowledges the unseen work of Ireland's back room team in his column this morning - as well as the contribution of Ian Madigan who showed fantastic mental strength in stepping up tot he mantle and leading Ireland to victory, much of that down to the work of team psychologist Enda McNulty but also his incredible self-belief;
“He has proved this time and again. Like when he missed that penalty for Blackrock College in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup at Donnybrook and cut a distraught figure in Gleeson’s pub that night.
“Or when his career seemed to stall, notably when Matt O’Connor started preferring Jimmy Gopperth to him.”
Gavin Cummiskey caught up with the All Blacks in Swansea - where the ever charismatic Sonny Bill Williams gave the lowdown on the New Zealand approach for their quarter-final against France and his conversion from rugby league to union.
Soccer: Euro 2016
Emmet Malone says the FAI could bank up to €10 million if Ireland can successfully navigate their way past the play-offs to the Euros in Paris next summer. For the likes of Wes Hoolahan, John O'Shea, and particularly Shay Given and Robbie Keane - it'd be one final hurrah in France, and Ireland will need them to continue to defy their age.
Golf
Rory McIlroy will host the next three Irish Opens - after Dubai Duty Free extended their title sponsorship to 2018 - purse for next year at The K Club tops €4m.
Next year’s tournament – 10 years on from the resort hosting the Ryder Cup – will occupy a May date, in the week before the BMW PGA Championship.
Boxing: World Championships
Last night Irish boxer Joe Ward secured his place in the World championships final - and his place in the Rio Olympics. He will meet Cuba's Julio la Cruz in the final
What to watch out for:
There'll be team news emerging from the Irish rugby press conference today - presumably on Paul O'Connell and Johnny Sexton in particular - while there's also the Sean O'Brien hearing to keep an eye on.
There's a raft of Euro 2016 qualifier games tonight, many of which will impact upon Ireland's seeding in the play-offs - so take your pick:
(7.45) Belgium v Israel
Sky Sports 3 from 7.40pm
(7.45) Italy v Norway
Sky Sports 4 from 7.40pm
(7.45) Netherlands v Czech Republic
Sky Sports 5 from 7.40pm
(7.45) Bulgaria v Azerbaijan
(7.45) Cyprus v Bosnia and Herzegovina
(7.45) Latvia v Kazakhstan
(7.45) Malta v Croatia
(7.45) Turkey v Iceland
Sky Sports 1 Red Button
