1. #AIRTRICITY LEAGUE Shamrock Rovers are on the brink of a first league title in 16 years as they travel to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray tonight (RTÉ2, ko 7.45pm).
Title rivals Bohemians – who are two points and four goals behind the Tallaght club – host Dundalk at Dalymount Park. Gypsies boss Pat Fenlon is on the brink of quitting, according to the Irish Daily Star, after tonight’s action. It should be a fascinating night.
2. #ASHES England’s cricket stars head for Australia this morning ahead of this winter’s battle for the urn Down Under.
3. #INTERNATIONAL RULES Australia coach Mick Malthouse yesterday criticised the negative media coverage in this country of this year’s series, insisting it will kill the game.
The Collingwood boss said he has ‘never seen such negativity’ in sports coverage since the damp squib first Test in Limerick last week. The two sides face off in the decider in Croke Park tomorrow night with the visitors holding a seven-point advantage.
4. #WORLD SERIES The San Francisco Giants take a 2-0 lead to the Lone Star state today after a comprehensive 9-0 rout of the Texas Rangers in AT&T Park last night.
5. #THUGS Celtic striker Anthony Stokes last night vowed that he will not be intimidated after a mob of around 15 hooligans laid siege to his home in West Lothian – just hours after the 3-1 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead. The yobs shouted death threats and sang sectarian songs before throwing a wheelie bin against the Dubliner’s living room window – while his parents hid inside.
6. #TENNIS Caroline Wozniacki guaranteed No 1 spot in the world rankings but she had to come from a set down for the pivotal round-robin victory over Italy’s Francesca Schiavone in the Persian gulf.
7. #TIPPERARY Nicky English has ruled himself out of the running for the county’s vacant manager job. Despite a number of reports last week which suggested that the appointment was imminent
8. #LIVERPOOL Anfield boss Roy Hodgson has warned Alex Ferguson off goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while Manchester United custodian Edwin van der Sar turns 40 today.
9. #RUGBY It is increasingly unlikely that injured captain Brian O’Driscoll will face the Springboks next week, according to the Irish Daily Mail this morning.
