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Does Manuela look confused to anyone else? ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Early Doors

The Morning Score: Friday

Sunshine, lollipops and all the bite-size sporting news you can handle by 9AM.

Every morning TheScore.ie rounds up the stories you need to know before your first cup of  iced coffee.

1. #IRELAND’S CALL Paul McShane looks set to continue training with the Ireland squad when they head out to Italy next week.

The much maligned defender was called up by Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday as injury cover for Sean St Ledger, John O’Shea and Richard Dunne.

The good news is that Shay Given will be fit enough to don the gloves. he visited a knee specialist yesterday and should be fine after a few days’ rest.

2. #DOUBLE TROUBLE Leinster look likely to be without barnstorming duo, Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien when they meet Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro12 final this Sunday.

Healy has suffered an injury to his leg in training while O’Brien underwent minor surgery on a knee problem. Both should be fit enough for Ireland’s tour to New Zealand.

3. GAA The sun is splitting the stones and we’re up to our neck in championship action. Meath and Kerry have named teams for this weekend’s clashes.

Kieran Donaghy has been left out of the Kingdom’s starting line-up to face Tipperary, while Seamus McEnaney’s first team announcement since the heave against him sees four championship debuts handed out to young royals.

4. GOLF Peter Lawrie carried a joint overnight lead into the second day of the BMW European PGA Championship.  The Dubliner was level with Scot, David Drysdale on six under par.

They are already under way at Wentworth and are now level on seven under after six holes. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have it all to do after they recorded two-over-par 74. Padraig Harrington is two shots further back.

5. LONDON 2012 After a successful week,  the European swimming championships ended in disappointment for Ireland’s 4x200m relay team.

The team of Sycerika McMahon, Melanie Nocher, Nuala Murphy and Bethany Carson finished sixth in the final, but their time of 8.09.15 was  not enough for the event in London.

‘Controlled aggression’ the key to Spain match – O’Shea

Pro12 preview: Leinster sweating on fitness of Healy and O’Brien