Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Northern Ireland sing and chase their way to the last 16, Martin O’Neill to shuffle his pack and what to watch out for

Northern Ireland’s Kyle Lafferty applauds fans after the defeat to Germany at Parc des Princes in Paris. Photograph: EPA
Wed Jun 22 2016 - 08:30

Soccer: Euro 2016

Northern Ireland last night qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2016 as one of the best third-placed teams - despite losing 1-0 to world champions Germany in Paris.

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern was in superb form keeping the score down, while Turkey's win over Czech Republic ensures Northern Ireland's progress. Ken Early was at Parc des Princes as "the fans sang and sang as their players chased and chased."

Tonight the Republic of Ireland complete their group E fixtures with a must-win game against already qualified Italy in Lille.

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Martin O'Neill is expected to shuffle his pack for the game and make at least four changes, three of those expected in the back four as the manager looks to pull something remarkable out of the bag again.

Uefa has admitted that the pitch on which Ireland the game will be played is "irreversibly damaged," and an entirely new one will be laid in time for the remaining Euro 2016 games to be staged at the stadium in Lille.

GAA

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) yesterday ordered a replay of the All-Ireland football qualifier between Laois and Armagh - fixed for Saturday week, back in Portlaoise.

Laois emerged three-point winners in Saturday’s original fixture, only for it to later emerge the county had fielded a seventh replacement during the course of that win - one more that the permitted six.

The other major talking point of last weekend's GAA action was Galway's win over Mayo - the first time the latter have been beaten in six provincial campaigns. Darragh Ó Sé says that the starting point for that win was anger.

“Mayo were never going to dominate Connacht forever. Believe it or not, the Dubs aren’t going to win every Leinster title from now until the end of time either. Meath probably won’t beat them on Sunday but it will happen eventually. These things come around and go around.”

Rugby

Meanwhile in his column this morning Gordon D’Arcy says that overseas stars are essential for Ireland’s success.

"There is not only room for this calibre of foreign player – they are essential for Ireland's continued success. Because international success is dependent on provincial success."

Ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa this weekend Ireland are still assessing their injuries before finalising the starting XV. Gerry Thornley says that "the likelihood is that Mike Ross, CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy, Ultan Dillane, Luke Marshall, Keith Earls, Seán Cronin and perhaps the hitherto unused Eoin Reddan will all return to the mix."

What to watch out for

Ireland versus Italy kicks off in Lille at 8pm.

RTE 2 from 7.15pm

Also kicking off at 8pm, the other final game in Group E between Belgium and Sweden.

TV3 from 7pm

Carlow and Offaly meet tonight in the Under-21 Leinster hurling semi-final. In Cullen Park at 7.30pm.