Europa League
It was a disappointing night for the Irish teams in the Europa League qualifiers last night, as both Cork City and Shamrock Rovers lost their first legs at home.
A late AEK Larnaca goal gave the Cypriot side a 1-0 win over John Caulfield's Cork side - their first defeat of 2017, ending a 26-game run - in the last home game at the club for both Seán Maguire and Kevin O'Connor.
While Shamrock Rovers conceded three goals to Mlada Boleslav, Graham Burke's last minute effort however was the Tallaght side's second in a 3-2 defeat. So they go into the away tie trailing, but also knowing that they can score against their Czech opponents.
GAA
In his column this morning Jackie Tyrrell says a timid Clare got exactly what they deserved in Sunday's Munster hurling final defeat.
“They looked like a team who were obsessed with what Cork could do to them rather than what they could do to Cork. That’s a strange attitude to have when you have won an All-Ireland and the other team hasn’t.”
Tour de France
Dan Martin notched up a sixth place finish on stage 12 as his late attack came up short. In his Tour de France diary he says his body is bruised but his spirit is still willing.
“I’m happy to be fifth – it sounds better than sixth. Personally I wish I could be more aggressive but for now I have to ride my own race and continue recovering. In the Alps we’ll see what I can do.”
Wimbledon
In Wimbledon yesterday, Venus Williams ruthlessly ended British hopes as she dispatched of Johanna Konta, while Muguruza thrashed Rybarikova in the other women's semi-final.
With the departure of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, all eyes will be on Roger Federer in Friday's men's semi-finals. Johnny Watterson explains how the Swiss's preparation for Wimbledon is in stark contrast to that of his biggest rivals.
Golf
Meanwhile in the Scottish Open, Rory McIlory is in real danger of missing his second consecutive cut. He carded a two-over-par 74 at Dundonald Links, where an opening 67 left Pádraig Harrington at five under par and just two off the lead. Paul Dunne is a shot behind Harrington.
