Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

McClean to be used up front against Slovakia, Rogue Angel wins Irish Grand National, Dublin’s McCarthy to avoid further sanction and Gerry Thornley’s column

Ger Fox with Irish Grand Naitonal winner Rogue Angel. Photograph: PA
Tue Mar 29 2016 - 08:28

McClean may be used up front

Ireland take on Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium tonight as the Easter international break draws to a close, and manager Martin O'Neill's paucity of options up front may mean West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean is deployed as a striker.

Shane Long is likely to start the match as Ireland’s number nine, and McClean is likely to be called upon when the Southampton forward is brought off, with O’Neill saying he had done “exceptionally well” in a similar role while at Wigan Athletic.

In his column today Brian Kerr suggests Ireland should take a leaf out of Leicester City's book and utilise the passing of Glenn Whelan, Wes Hoolahan and James McCarthy to help them develop into something more than a long ball team.

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Northern Irelandstretched their unbeaten run to a record 10 games last night as they saw off Slovenia 1-0 at Windsor Park, Conor Washington with the game's only goal.

Rogue Angel wins Irish National

27-year-old local lad Ger Fox partnered 16-1 shot Rogue Angel to victory in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday, and delivered an emotional win for Tipperary-based trainer Michael "Mouse" Morris.

It was also a good day for Barry Geraghty, who picked up an Easter Monday Grade 2 double with wins on Sutton Place and Slowmotion. Today’s feature race is the 3.55 Normans Grove Chase, with Britain’s new champion jockey-elect Richard Johnson on board 6/5 favourite Top Gamble.

McCarthy to avoid further sanction

Elsewhere Dublin's James McCarthy is unlikely to face any further disciplinary action for his sending off during last Saturday's Division One clash with Donegal.

Gerry Thornley column

And in his column today Gerry Thornley praises World Rugby for intervening in the incident between Joe Marler and Samson Lee, where the English prop called his opposite number "gypsy boy," but suggests the whole episode was yet another example of the inadequacy of the Six Nations' disciplinary system.

What to watch out for:

Football

There are a number of international friendlies tonight, with Ireland playing Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium (Setanta Ireland, 7.45pm ko) and England playing Holland (UTV, 8pm ko)