1. #RIP Boxing is mourning the loss of one of the sport’s all-time great trainers this morning following the death of Emanuel Steward, 68, last night.
Steward, who trained more than 30 world champions in his time, oversaw the boxing careers of Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko and Irishman Andy Lee among others.
2. #AIRTRICITY LEAGUE It’s party time in Sligo as the 2012 Airtricity League season comes to a close tonight. The Bit O’Red host Shamrock Rovers in a sold-out Showgrounds and will be presented with the club’s first league title in 35 years afterwards. Read the previews here >
In the First Division, Waterford United take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their promotion play-off against Longford — but Town boss Tony Cousins isn’t giving up hope.
3. #ALL-STARS There are 45 players in the running for the 2012 Opel GAA-GPA Hurling All Stars which are set to be announced tonight. Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway lead the way with 14 nominations while champions Kilkenny have 12 nods.
The 2012 Footballer of the Year and Hurler of the Year will also be announced tonight. Read our writers’ predictions here >
4. #EUROPA LEAGUE A rare goal from winger Stewart Downing earned Liverpool a 1-0 win against Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala in Anfield last night.
Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a third straight Europa League draw this evening when they were held 1-1 at Slovenia’s Maribor, while Gabriel Obertan’s strike two minutes after the restart was the only goal as Newcastle beat Brugge 1-0.
5. #PRO12 After their Heineken Cup exertions of the last two weeks, both Ulster and Munster return to action in the RaboDirect Pro12 tonight. Ulster are at Rodney Parade to take on the Dragons while Munster host Zebre of Italy in Thomond Park.
6. #WORLD SERIES With a name like Madison Bumgarner, you need to be good. The San Francisco pitcher kept Detroit runless for seven innings last night as the Giants beat the Tigers 2-0 on the night to take a 2-0 series lead.
