Home
- Joe Schmidt insists he has made no plans over his long-term future after reports in New Zealand linked him with a potential move to the Highlanders in 2018.
- Matthew Cosgrave has become the latest Sligo player to be drafted into the Irish squad after his clubmate Cillian Gallagher had his participation in the World Rugby U20 Championship ended through injury.
- Rory McIlroy’s hopes of winning a second US Open were sent reeling at rain-hit Oakmont on Friday when a disastrous three-bogey finish to his first round saw him limp off the course with a seven-over 77.
- Cavan and Tyrone have named their starting sides for Sunday’s Ulster senior football semi-final in Clones.
- Four players who won All-Ireland U21 medals last September will make their senior championship debuts for Limerick in Sunday’s Munster hurling semi-final against Tipperary.
Away
- In what is a boost to Irish qualification hopes, Italy saw off Sweden this afternoon at Euro 2016.
- Tomas Necid smashed home a stoppage-time penalty to cap a Czech comeback and snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Croatia.
- Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has rubbished talk of disharmony in the camp ahead of their Euro 2016 group game against Ireland.
- Clint Dempsey struck again as the United States beat Ecuador 2-1 to book their place in the Copa America semi-finals.
- The Old Firm derby will return to the Scottish Premiership on 10 September, with Celtic and Rangers scheduled to meet at Parkhead in just their fourth game of next season.
- Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his first appearance of the season for Toulon in their Top 14 semi-final clash against Montpellier on Saturday.
- Athletics governing body the IAAF will uphold the ban on Russian athletes competing in this summer’s Olympic Games.
Where we were today
Ben Blake and Paul Fennessy were with the Republic of Ireland squad in Bordeaux as Martin O’Neill spoke to the media for the final time before tomorrow’s crucial Euro 2016 Group E clash with Belgium.
The best thing we shared
This Irish fan led a one-man clean-up after a Euro 2016 street party in Bordeaux last night.
On the record
He’s an excellent player, but I think his preoccupations have to be more about things on the pitch than off it. I think that the biggest idiot in this story is him. You have to construct a story in order to be able to speak. He hasn’t won anything, he hasn’t given joy to supporters, so he can talk less. You have to build your story first, try to give a trophy to the Brazilian population, and then you can start to complain a bit.”
Brazil legend Rivelino unleashed a serious tongue-lashing in Neymar’s direction.
The fixture list
- The action continues tomorrow at Euro 2016, with Ireland kicking things off against Belgium at 2pm. That’s followed at 5pm by Iceland versus Hungary, with Portugal taking on Austria at 8pm.
- There’s a busy schedule of Test rugby on tomorrow’s agenda too, including New Zealand versus Wales (8.35am), Australia versus England (11am) and, most importantly, South Africa versus Ireland (4pm).
- The Connacht SFC semi-final between Mayo and Galway (7pm) is tomorrow’s big game on the GAA front, but there are also three All-Ireland SFC qualifiers down for decision: Laois v Armagh (3.30pm), Derry v Louth (5pm), Carlow v Wicklow (7pm).
Showbiz, baby!
LeBron James was on fire last night as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors to force a one-game showdown for the NBA title.
