Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

City on verge of European Cup last eight, McCloskey and van der Flier to make Ireland debuts, Sonia O’Sullivan column and what to watch out for

Stuart McCloskey is in line to make his Ireland debut against England. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Feb 25 2016 - 08:37

City on verge of last eight

Manchester City are on the verge of qualifying for the last eight of the European Cup for the first ever time in the club's 136-year history after they beat Dynamo Kyiv away from home last night.

The hosts made a bright start but a clinical finish from Sergio Aguero put City in command before David Silva effectively sealed the tie on the stroke of half time. Manuel Pellegrini’s side wobbled again in the second half, Vitaliy Buyalsky pulling one back, but Yaya Toure put the game beyond doubt in the 89th minute.

Elsewhere 10-man PSV held out for a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid.

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McCloskey and van der Flier set for debuts

The Ireland team for Saturday's Six Nations trip to play England is announced at lunchtime today, and Joe Schmidt is expected to give debuts to Leinster backrow Josh van der Flier and Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey at Twickenham.

Gerry Thornley also suggests Connacht secondrow Ultan Dillane could become Ireland’s third debutant from the bench, while opposite number Eddie Jones is likely to give Mario Itoje his first England start with Joe Launchbury ruled out.

Sonia O’Sullivan column

The Rio Olympics is now just six months away and in her column today Sonia O'Sullivan looks at the indoor season, which athletes can use, or not use, as part of their training.

She writes: “But it’s not an easy decision for athletes to make: to be part of a great indoor event, or to slip back into hibernation, with a more conservative plan to get to Rio in the best shape possible.

“That would be the low-risk option, but would also mean giving up the opportunity to win a World Championship medal indoors.”

Women in Sport

Elsewhere in today's Women in Sport section Johnny Watterson speaks to sailor Annalise Murphy, Keith Duggan with pentathalete Natalya Coyle and Malachy Clerkin grills marathon runner Gladys Ganiel.

Meanwhile, Mayo footballer Sarah Rowe has spoken out about the disparity in the facilities available for the men's and women's teams.

What to watch out for:

Football

Manchester United take on FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford tonight looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash (BT Sport 2, Setanta, 8.05pm ko), Spurs take on Fiorentina (Bt Sport, Setanta, 8.05pm ko) and Augsburg travel to Anfield (BT Sport Europe, Setanta, 6pm ko)

Golf

Rorly McIlroy (5.45pm BST), Shane Lowry (12.15pm BST) and Padraig Harrington (5.45pm BST) are all in first round action in the Honda Classic. (SS4, 7pm-11pm)