1. #EUROPA LEAGUE Sporting Braga stunned Benfica last night to book a place in the Europa League final in Dublin on May 18. A 1-0 win in the Estadio AXA last night saw the home side through on away goals after the tie had finished 2-2 on aggregate.
They will be joined by Andre Villas Boas and Porto who comfortably progressed to the final despite losing 3-2 (agg. 4-7) in their second leg against Villarreal last night.
2. #HARRINGTON Padraig Harrington is the best of the Irish after the opening day of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, North Carolina. The Dubliner finished his first round with a score of three-under par, leaving him five shots adrift of overnight leader, Bill Haas.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy disappointed with a three-over round over 75.
3. #PUNCHESTOWN The punters managed to line their pockets on Day Three at Punchestown yesterday, with odds-on favourites Quevega and Captain Chris winning handily in the day’s two main races.
Today, all eyes will be on Hurricane Fly who races for the first time since his success in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in March. He takes on Binocular in the two-mile Rabobank Champion Hurdle which goes to post at 5.30.
As always, Mark Hobbs will be along shortly with his picks from today’s card.
4. #GAA The GAA’s director of games administration and player welfare Feargal McGill has confirmed to the Irish Examiner that the association will not take action against counties which contravene training camp rules – unless an official complaint is lodged by a club.
5. #CROCKED Following yesterday’s news that Damien Duff will not be available for Ireland’s trip to Skopje in June, Giovanni Trapattoni was dealt another injury blow when it emerged that keeper Kieren Westwood has also withdrawn from the squad through injury.
Motherwell’s Darren Randolph has been called up to the squad in his place.
6. #MAGNIFICENT SEVEN It’s Friday which means another dose of our weekly Magnificent Seven series.
This week, we’ve decided to recall some of our favourite moments of sporting commentary in memory of this man – “Whispering” Ted Lowe, who passed away at the age of 90 earlier this week.
