Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Northern Ireland make history in the hail, five changes for Ireland in Johannesburg, and US Open’s Start-Stop-Start-Stop- Start-Stop first day

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill celebrates after Northern Ireland’s Niall McGinn scores their second goal. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill celebrates after Northern Ireland’s Niall McGinn scores their second goal. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters
Fri Jun 17 2016 - 08:35

Soccer: Euro 2016

Northern Ireland last night made history in the hail - their 2-0 win over Ukraine was the nation's first victory in a European Championships.

The win, thanks to goals from Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn, gives Michael O'Neill's team a fighting chance of exiting Group C and reaching the last 16 of the competition. Next up, they face World Champions Germany.

There was no shortage of drama in Lens either as Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy rewarded Roy Hodgson's roll of the dice - the two strikers came on and scored after the interval, after Wales had led through Gareth Bale. Liverpool striker Sturridge ultimately proved the difference, providing the original cross for Vardy's opening goal, and on 90 minutes he slotted into the bottom left corner to earn a deserved win.

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In the final game of the day Germany were held to a 0-0 draw with Poland. Today Italy and Sweden meet in Group E, Ireland's group. And if any nation is aware of the talents of Sweden's veteran talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic it's Italy - given his exploits for Juventus, Inter and AC Milan during his time in his "second home".

Rugby

Meanwhile, after announcing five changes and an experimental side for Ireland's second Test against South Africa this weekend - Irish head coach Joe Schmidt said categorically that no deal has been done to take him back to New Zealand at the end of next season and that he has still to decide whether to remain as Ireland head coach until the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Former All Blacks 2011 World Cup winning manager Graham Henry though has confirmed that he'll be going in the other direction - Leinster have hired the experienced coach as a consultant to work alongside head coach Leo Cullen.

Ireland have called up Tadhg Furlong, the uncapped Quinn Roux, Rhys Ruddock, Stuart Olding and Craig Gilroy for Saturday’s second test.

There are two more potential debutants, namely Ulster’s New Zealand-reared backrower Sean Reidy (whose grandfather hails from Kerry) and the Connacht fullback Tiernan O’Halloran.

Racing

Order of St George, ridden by Ryan Moore yesterday ran out an easy winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Moore said: "He's a class horse and class horses win races.

“He picked up very well and after two and a half miles, he was pouring it on at the end.

Golf: US Open

In what turned into a game of Start-Stop-Start-Stop- Start-Stop, the third suspension in play brought with it an end to proceedings at the first day of the US Open with only a handful of players managing to finish their rounds.

Andrew Landry reached the ninth green – his 18th – on three-under-par to be in the lead, while Masters champion Danny Willett and Rory McIlroy were both on four-over when their misery was brought to an end. Shane Lowry, thanks to a pitch-in birdie from 65 yards on the first hole, had a much better time: he was in tied-eighth.