Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Robbie Brady has Ireland in dreamland, Joe Schmidt to revert to first Test XV and Shane Lowry on those last five holes

Republic of Ireland’s Shane Long and Seamus Coleman celebrate with fans and team mates at the end of the match. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters
Thu Jun 23 2016 - 08:44

Soccer: Euro 2016

Ireland made it a night to remember in Lille last night - providing an inspirational performance and a 1-0 win over Italy. To set up a last-16 clash against hosts France.

Robbie Brady’s late header was just reward with Ireland dominating the Italians with a performance full of determination, courage, and quality - sending the nation into dreamland.

Ken Early was in Lille to witness the drama - "If Martin O'Neill really is the kind of guy who believes in miracles, maybe he's exactly the guy Irish football needs."

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That win sets up an Ireland-France last-16 tie in Paris on Sunday in Lyon. Northern Ireland play Wales, England face Iceland, Italy play Spain and Portugal will meet Croatia.

The Portuguese have their captain Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for their continued involvement in the competition. His two second half goals rescued a 3-3 draw with Hungary with his team coming from behind on three occasions.

Rugby

Meanwhile the Irish rugby team are set to revert to the core of the side that won the first Test when Joe Schmidt announces his line-up today for Saturday's match against South Africa. Gerry Thornley predicts that the pack for the first Test will return with Luke Marshall and Stuart Olding to line up in the centre.

“In addition to recalling five players who were rested last week, there is also the scope to recall Sean Cronin and Ultan Dillane as replacements to give the bench more oomph.”

Golf

'I'd give anything to have those last five holes at the US Open in Oakmont back again,' Shane Lowry is talking about his US Open disappointment in his column this morning. Despite collapsing in the final round last weekend he insists that the experience will put a fire in his belly for the next time.

His focus now though turns to Akron, the Scottish Open and the British Open.

As for his inclusion the Olympics - that's one we'll have to sit on. One man who definitely won't be travelling to Rio is Rory McIlroy. The World No4 said yesterday that the risk of the Zika virus was not one he was willing to take. Malachy Clerkin is certain that McIlroy won't be the last to decide Rio isn't worth the hassle. "This was always the problem with golf edging its way back into the Olympics. It wasn't wanted, it wasn't needed, it was done for all the wrong reasons."